22-24 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DT · 0113 244 1551 Mon–Fri 08:00–20:00 · Sat 10:00–15:00 · Sun 10:00–17:00
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NHS Pharmacy First

Free pharmacist-led consultation for seven common conditions — and where appropriate, supply of the medicine you need without a GP appointment. Walk in, phone, or start online.

Start your assessment online

Open the NHS-assured Digital Gateway on your phone, answer the eligibility and symptom questions, and our pharmacist will have your record ready when you arrive or call. Works for all seven pathways.

Start online assessment → Or call 0113 244 1551
QR code linking to Hyde Park Pharmacy's NHS Pharmacy First online assessment via Digital Gateway Scan to start

The seven pathways we cover

1

Sore throat

Adults & children 5+ · Pharmacist assesses using FeverPAIN or Centor score.

Most sore throats are viral and self-limiting. The pharmacist will assess for signs of bacterial infection and supply antibiotics if clinically indicated, otherwise advise on symptomatic relief.

Read more about sore throat → 2

Sinusitis

Adults & children 12+ with acute sinusitis lasting up to ~10 days.

Pharmacist assesses for severity and red flags. Most cases are managed with self-care; antibiotics supplied where appropriate per NICE guidance.

Read more about sinusitis → 3

Acute otitis media (ear infection)

Children 1-17 with earache and signs of middle-ear infection.

Otoscope examination by the pharmacist. Decision-support tools used to assess severity. Antibiotics supplied if clinically appropriate; analgesia advised otherwise.

Read more about ear infections → 4

Impetigo

Adults & children 1+ with localised non-bullous impetigo.

Pharmacist confirms presentation. Topical or oral antibiotics supplied as per NICE guidance.

Read more about impetigo → 5

Shingles

Adults 18+ within 72 hours of rash onset, with classic dermatomal presentation.

Antiviral treatment (e.g. aciclovir) can shorten illness and reduce post-herpetic neuralgia if started within 72 hours. Pharmacist assesses and supplies if appropriate.

Read more about shingles → 6

Infected insect bite

Adults & children 1+ with signs of secondary bacterial infection.

Most bites need only symptomatic care. Pharmacist assesses for cellulitis and other infection signs and supplies oral antibiotics where indicated.

Read more about infected bites → 7

Uncomplicated UTI

Women 16-64 with classic lower-UTI symptoms, no red-flag features.

  • Not pregnant
  • No catheter
  • No recurrent UTIs (3+ in 12 months)
  • No fever, flank pain, or other red flags
Read more about UTI →

How it works — fully online from your phone

  1. Start the online assessment. Scan the QR or click the button above. You'll be on the NHS-assured Digital Gateway — answer eligibility and symptom questions, upload a photo if your pathway needs one (shingles, impetigo, infected insect bite). Takes about 5 minutes on your phone.
  2. The pharmacist reviews your record. Your answers populate our PharmOutcomes record. Our pharmacist reviews it during opening hours — usually within 1-2 hours (we're open 7 days a week, see hours above). For most pathways, no in-person visit is needed.
  3. Pharmacist contacts you to complete the consultation. A phone call to discuss your case, ask any clarifying questions, and confirm the plan. For sore throat or anything that needs visual review, we may send you a secure accuRx video link.
  4. Clinical decision. (a) Supply the appropriate medicine free under the Pharmacy First PGD; (b) advise self-care if a medicine isn't needed; (c) refer you back to your GP, NHS 111, or A&E if your case is outside the pathway scope. The pharmacist is the final clinical authority — Digital Gateway captures information; people make the decision.
  5. Medicine delivered or collected. If medicine is supplied: free delivery to your door anywhere in England via Royal Mail Tracked, same-day delivery in Leeds LS postcodes, or collection from the pharmacy if you prefer. No prescription charge — Pharmacy First medicines are NHS-funded.
  6. GP notified via NHS GP Connect. Your medical record stays joined-up automatically — your GP sees what was supplied and the clinical reasoning.
  7. Follow-up if needed. Not improving? Message us back or phone — the pharmacist can reassess and refer you on. No extra cost.

One exception: ear infection (acute otitis media) needs an in-person otoscope examination, so for that pathway the online assessment is the start — but we'll book you a same-day in-person slot to complete it.

For a fuller walk-through of what happens after you submit, see what happens next.

NHS 111 referrals come straight to us. If you've spoken to 111 and they've recommended Pharmacy First, the referral arrives in our system electronically. Just walk in — we'll already have your details.
When NOT to use Pharmacy First — go to A&E or call 999: Severe breathlessness; signs of meningitis (non-blanching rash, neck stiffness, confusion); severe chest pain; sudden severe headache; stroke symptoms (FAST); difficulty swallowing or breathing alongside throat infection. Pharmacy First is for low-risk conditions only — these are not.
Eligible but not local to Leeds? Pharmacy First is available at participating community pharmacies across England — you can usually walk in to any pharmacy displaying the Pharmacy First sign. We've made this page detailed because we run the service ourselves; the pathway is the same nationwide.
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