Think ‘Pharmacy First’ – New Advanced Pharmacy Service Now Available Across Croydon

Pharmacy First | Croydon

The new Pharmacy First scheme enables your local pharmacy to treat some common conditions with prescription-only medicines, without you visiting your GP.

The NHS has launched a major transformation to try and make it easier for patients to access the care they need.

What is Pharmacy First?

The Pharmacy First Scheme means that patients across England can now get prescription-only treatment for seven common conditions at their local high street pharmacy, without needing to see a GP.

This can include prescribing and supplying antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.

What can Pharmacy First treat?

Your local pharmacy can now supply prescription-only treatment, if they believe you need it, for the following conditions:

 

• sinusitis (for patients aged 12 years and over only)
• sore throat (aged 5+)
• earache (aged 1 year-17)
• infected insect bite (aged 1 year+)
• impetigo (aged 1 year +)
• shingles (aged 18 years+)
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (aged 16-64 years)

How does Pharmacy First work?

If you are feeling unwell with any of these conditions, you can go to your local participating pharmacy and ask for a private consultation with the pharmacist.

You may also be referred by a GP practice if they don’t have any appointments and believe your pharmacy can help. The 111 helpline service may also refer you. Pharmacists can also offer this service on-the-spot if you go in asking generally for help.

Pharmacists may offer a virtual consultation by phone or video call, or in person in a private room in the pharmacy. They will ask questions, may perform an examination and must get your consent to access your medical records. The pharmacist will be able to recommend the best course of action based on your clinical needs. This might include issuing prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals where necessary or advising you on over-the-counter treatments that could help.

What are the benefits of the scheme?

There are many benefits to the new scheme, helping to make care easier and more accessible. These benefits include:

• Participating pharmacies must offer the service during all their opening hours including any late nights or weekends.
• It may be quicker to see your pharmacist than waiting for an appointment with your GP.
• Pharmacy First – along with expanded Blood Pressure Check and Oral Contraception services at pharmacies – could free up to 10 million GP appointments a year.

How can my pharmacist supply a prescription-only medicine if they are not a doctor?

Pharmacists must follow a strict NHS protocol (called a ‘patient group direction’) covering their own required knowledge and skills the types of patients covered.

This means that the supply of prescription-only medicines will be limited in all cases by age groups, and in one case, by gender.

Will I have to pay for my advice or medication?

The appointment and advice from a pharmacist are free to access.

If you are recommended an over-the-counter medication, you will pay the costs of buying this.

If you are supplied with a prescription-only medication, usual prescription charges would apply unless you qualify for free prescriptions.

If you regularly require medication and are not exempt from prescription charges, you may be able to save money through a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC). Find out what help you can get to pay for your prescriptions.

How do I know if my local pharmacy is participating?

Most pharmacies have agreed in principle to deliver the new service but may launch at different times, from 31 January 2024 onwards. They may need to train staff, upgrade IT and install a private consultation room.

Can I get oral contraception without a prescription?

From December 2023, some pharmacies will be able to start women on oral contraception (also known as ‘the Pill’) for the first time, or re-start them after a break, without the person needing to see their GP first. This is an extension of the existing oral contraception service that let women go to pharmacies for repeat prescriptions, that had been initiated first by a GP.

The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation to discuss your current medication and ensure it is the best option for your needs.

Oral contraception is free on the NHS, and you will not be charged any prescription charges.

To find a local pharmacy offering this service – check out the NHS website. 

Can I still see my GP?

You can still choose to visit your GP if you prefer. Pharmacy First simply offers an alternative route for getting treatment for these specific conditions.

Commencing 1st March 2024

Please note the surgery will be operating from: Selsdon Park Medical Practice every Friday

The Mitchley Avenue Surgery doctors, nurse and receptionists will be relocating to Selsdon Park Medical Practice once a week on a Friday. Selsdon Park Medical Practice is located opposite Sainsbury’s in Selsdon, their address is: 97 Addington Road, Selsdon, South Croydon CR2 8LG. Many of you will have been there already when we held our Covid clinics or perhaps had minor surgery there.

Monday to Thursday’s will continue as normal at Mitchley Avenue Surgery. Wednesday afternoon calls are taken by Selsdon Park Medical Practice, as usual 020 8657 0067.

Will I be able to see my normal doctor?

The Mitchley Avenue Surgery doctors and nurse will be available all day Friday, so depending on availibility you will be able to see your usual doctor. 

We will be giving you the same level of service that you are used to. You may even be able to see Natasha from our reception team, who will be happy to help you in any way that she can.

What if i need a follow up appointment?

The easiest way to book an appointment or request medication is via the NHS app but you can book in an appointment when you are at the surgery of call us on: 0208 657 6565 or Selsdon Park on: 0208 657 0067.

Where can I park?

There is a disabled bay in Byron Road and Sainsbury’s is just accross the road.

If you need to see a Doctor outside of our normal practice hours

Croydon GP Hubs

People who live or work in Croydon have access to a wide range of urgent care services including booked appointments within three GP Hubs from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week, 365 days a year if you require medical assistance that cannot wait for you to see your own GP.

To access a Croydon GP Hub, call 111, or visit their website on www.croydongphub.co.uk

Locations of Croydon Hubs and travel information is listed below:

GP HUB CENTRAL CROYDON -  East Croydon Medical Centre, 59 Addiscombe Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 6SD

• 10 minutes drive from nearest A&E department (Croydon University Hospital).
• Car: Free & Paid Parking Available within 2 minutes walk
• Tram: 3-minute walk from Lebanon Road Tram Stop
• Train: 5-minute walk from East Croydon Train Station
• Bus: Routes 64, 119, 194, 198, 433, 466

GP HUB PURLEY - Purley War Memorial Hospital, 856 Brighton Road,  Purley, Surrey, CR8 2YL

• 12 minutes drive from nearest A&E department (Croydon University Hospital).
• Car: Free & Paid Parking Available within 2 minutes walk
• Train: 6 minutes walk from Purley Train Station
• Bus: Routes 60, 166, 289, 405, 407, 412, 455 & 466

GP HUB PARKWAY - Parkway Health Centre, Parkway, New Addington,, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0JA

• 16 minutes drive from nearest A&E department (Princess Royal University Hospital)
• Car: Free Parking Available outside
• Tram: 1-minute walk from New Addington Tramlink
• Bus: Routes 64, 130, 314, 464, 664

Please only call 999 if you believe there is a life-threatening emergency

Sick Notes

We are receiving a high number of new sick note requests.  If you are unwell for less than 7 days, please complete a self-certified sick note via the www.gov.uk website in the first instance.  After 7 days of sickness, please book a GP appointment either via our website, patient access, NHS app or by telephone to discuss your needs.   If you are requesting a continuation of a sick note, please complete the Sick/Fit Note Request on this website

BAME Community Forum - Cancer Awareness

Please click on video link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyICt_mE3HI 

Veteran Support

We’re proud to be a Veteran Friendly Accredited GP practice 

As a Veteran Friendly Accredited practice, our team: 

• recognises the importance of identifying veteran patients within our community
• understands the unique health needs that veterans may have
• strives to provide veterans with the very best care and support 
• knows about the specialist veteran healthcare services that exist 
• undertakes regular training and development to ensure we’re able to deliver the very best care to veterans in our community and meet the health commitments of the Armed Forces Covenant

If you’re a veteran patient, please do let us know that you have served so that we can make sure you receive the most appropriate and best care, if and when you ever need it.

You can learn more about the accreditation and how it supports veteran patients, here: rcgp.org.uk/veterans

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Infection Control Statement

2022 Infection Control Statement