Patients across England will soon be able to access faster treatment for five additional everyday health conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without needing a GP appointment first, as the NHS expands its Pharmacy First service ahead of winter pressures.
From autumn, participating community pharmacies will be able to assess and treat acne, migraines, scabies, ear infections and rhinitis, giving patients quicker access to care while helping reduce demand on GP practices and accident and emergency departments.
The expansion builds on the success of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, which has already delivered more than 14 million consultations since launching in February 2024. The service enables patients to receive expert advice and treatment from qualified pharmacists for a range of common conditions without requiring a GP referral.
NHS leaders believe the latest expansion could result in between two and three million consultations annually taking place in community pharmacies once fully implemented, improving patient access while freeing up GP capacity for more complex cases.
The move comes as the NHS intensifies preparations for what is expected to be another challenging winter period. Health service data revealed that NHS emergency departments experienced their three busiest months on record between May and July, reinforcing the need to ensure patients can access care through the most appropriate setting.
Recent NHS figures underline the scale of demand associated with the newly included conditions. In 2024/25 there were:
- More than 77,000 hospital admissions relating to diseases of the ear
- Around 47,500 hospital admissions linked to migraines
- Approximately 5,000 admissions associated with vasomotor and allergic rhinitis
- 681 admissions for scabies
The expanded service is expected to provide earlier intervention, improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable hospital attendance.
Community pharmacies remain one of the NHS's most accessible healthcare assets, with around 80% of people in England living within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy. The enhanced Pharmacy First offer aims to make care more convenient for patients by providing treatment closer to home and outside traditional GP appointment systems.
The announcement follows the launch of the NHS flu vaccination programme, with millions of children and pregnant women becoming eligible for vaccination from 1 September as part of wider efforts to protect vulnerable groups ahead of winter.
Dr Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said:
“Thanks to community pharmacy teams, millions of people have received treatment for common conditions quickly and conveniently on their local high streets with the NHS determined to make it as easy as possible for people to get help.
“As the NHS steps up winter preparations, we want to make sure that patients can get as much support as possible in their communities, so they do not have to be admitted to hospital unnecessarily.
“That’s why participating pharmacies will start offering help for new common conditions such as acne, migraines and ear infections – without needing to get a GP appointment first – so they’re freed up for people who need them most in the colder months”.
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