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Thousands of consultations provided in Pharmacy First’s initial year
Thousands of Lincolnshire Co-op patients have accessed the NHS Pharmacy First Service since its launch one year ago.
The nation-wide NHS Pharmacy First Service launched on 31st January 2024 and added to the pre-existing consultation service, giving community pharmacies the ability to provide advice and supply prescription medication for seven common conditions, reducing the need for further intervention.
As well as delivering high quality and accessible care, the NHS Pharmacy First Service is expected to free up GP appointments for patients who need them most.
Conditions covered by the scheme are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites and stings, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI).
Debbie Skelton, Pharmacist at Birchwood Pharmacy (pictured above), said: “Pharmacy First has significantly improved access to healthcare services for my patients. They have shared positive feedback, highlighting that it is often easier to see their pharmacist than their GP, as they don’t need to have an appointment.
“I have been able to provide care to patients outside normal surgery hours, helping them manage their symptoms sooner and avoid unnecessary visits to A&E."
Throughout the year, the service was used most by patients suffering with UTIs, equating to almost 30% of consultations delivered by Lincolnshire Co-op’s pharmacies.
The second most common condition throughout the year was sore throats, accounting for 29% of consultations delivered. 14% of consultations delivered were for earache, and 12% of consultations delivered were for sinusitis.
December saw the most consultations delivered in a month, with a 13% increase compared to November. 31% of consultations during this month were for patients suffering with a sore throat.
Data reveals some seasonal trends; throughout the year, 63% of consultations provided for infected insect bites were delivered during June, July and August.
Comparing December to August, more than triple the number of consultations were given for sinusitis, and the number of consultations given for earache and impetigo more than doubled.
September saw the lowest number of consultations delivered. The number of patients with infected insect bites began to reduce, and fewer consultations were given for sore throats and sinusitis compared to the months following. However, seasonal trends may vary, and patients remain at risk of these conditions regardless of weather.
Head of Care at Lincolnshire Co-op, Alice Hare, said: “We’re proud to have supported the health and wellbeing of so many people in our local communities in the past year, not only by delivering high quality care, but by relieving some of the pressure on our busy GP surgeries.
“In addition to Pharmacy First services, we’ve delivered flu jabs, healthy heart checks, travel vaccines and more. I want to say a massive thank you to our hardworking pharmacy colleagues for delivering these important services.”
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