Fast, friendly health advice – no appointment needed
Summer should be a time to relax and enjoy the sunshine. But minor health problems can still crop up – whether you’re at home, on holiday, or visiting friends.
The good news? You don’t always need to see a GP. Your local pharmacy can help.
Get quick treatment for common summer issues
Pharmacists at most pharmacies in England can treat a range of common conditions without you needing to see a doctor.
They can help with:
- 👂 Earache (ages 1 to 17)
- 🌼 Infected insect bites or stings (ages 1 and up)
- 🌞 Impetigo – a skin infection (ages 1 and up)
- 🔥 Shingles (ages 18 and up)
- 😖 Sinusitis (ages 12 and up)
- 😷 Sore throat (ages 5 and up)
- 💧 Uncomplicated UTIs in women (ages 16 to 64)
So if a sore throat strikes after a festival, or a bite looks red and swollen, your pharmacist may be able to help – no need to wait for a GP appointment.
Easy, fast, and close to home
You don’t need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist. Many pharmacies are open:
- In the evenings
- On weekends
- On bank holidays
They also often have private consultation rooms, so you can talk in confidence.
More ways your pharmacy can help
Pharmacists are trained to give advice and suggest treatments for lots of everyday health problems, including:
- Coughs, colds, and sore throats
- Hay fever and allergies
- Aches and pains
- Contraception
- Travel health
On holiday? No problem
If you’re away from home, you can visit any pharmacy in England. Just walk in, no appointment or referral is needed.
You can even collect repeat prescriptions while away using the NHS App. The app gives you a barcode that lets any pharmacy get your medicines quickly.