Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can easily help with minor illnesses such as coughs and colds, itchy eyes and earache. If symptoms indicate something that may be more serious, they can signpost you to other NHS services, such as a GP or A&E to get the help you need.

With no appointment needed, local pharmacy teams offer a fast and convenient service and if needed can speak to you in the privacy of a consultation room.

New data reveals that although 82 per cent of people aged 18 to 40 trust the advice provided by their local pharmacist only 19 per cent of people said they would go to a pharmacy first when experiencing minor health concerns (e g cough, cold or earache).

While 93 per cent of people know where their local pharmacy is nearly half of those surveyed do not use it when experiencing minor health concerns, opting to speak to their GP first. 64 per cnt of those aged 18 to 40 did not know that pharmacists train for five years before they’re fully qualified.

So, if you’re experiencing a minor health concern speak to your local pharmacist to get expert advice straight away.

For more information on how pharmacies can help you, visit the NHS England website.

Find a local pharmacy using NHS England’s pharmacy locator.

Pharmacy First

Community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.

Highly trained pharmacists at more than 1,500 pharmacies (95%) can now assess and treat patients for earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16-64 -without the need for a GP appointment.

Available on the high-street, community pharmacy teams have the right clinical training to give people the health advice they need, with no appointment necessary and private consultations available. Community pharmacists will signpost patients to other local services where necessary.

By expanding the services community pharmacies offer, the NHS is aiming to help free up GP appointments and give people more choice in how and where they access care.

Don't wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local pharmacy team.

For more information, visit nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst