England to treat migraines and acne at pharmacies from autumn
NHS England will add five conditions to its Pharmacy First scheme from autumn, allowing patients to get on-the-spot treatment for migraines, acne, scabies, ear infections and allergic rhinitis without a GP appointment. The expansion aims to ease pressure on GPs and A&E, with up to three million extra consultations expected per year once fully rolled out, per NHS England.
Bottom line — NHS aims for up to 3 million pharmacy consultations for new conditions annually, per NHS England.
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- The scheme already covers seven conditions including sore throat, sinusitis, and UTIs; since its January 2024 launch, it has delivered 14 million consultations, according to BBC.
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the move would 'give people back precious time' and reduce the scramble for GP appointments, per the Manchester Evening News.
- Henry Gregg of the National Pharmacy Association welcomed the expansion but warned pharmacies remain under 'significant financial pressures', calling for more government investment, according to the Mirror.
- Scotland already allows pharmacies to treat 27 conditions, and one in three Scots used the service last year, the Mirror notes, citing the National Pharmacy Association.
- NHS figures for 2024/25 show over 77,000 hospital admissions for ear infections and 47,500 for migraines, per the Mirror.
- The rollout will begin with a few hundred pharmacies this autumn and expand to thousands, the BBC reports.