Given the current demands on general practice you may find you are seen quicker.

Think Pharmacy First

Pharmacy First is a scheme where pharmacies can now help you with the following seven common conditions without needing to a GP appointment.

• Sinusitis - 12 years and over
• Sore throats - 5 years and over
• Earache (children) - 1 to 17 years
• Infected insect bite - 1 year and over
• Impetigo - 1 year and over
• Shingles - 18 years and over
• Urinary tract infection (women) 16 to 64 years

This, alongside expansions to the phamacy blood pressure checking and contraception services, will save up to 10 million general practice team appointments a year in the UK, and help patients access quicker and more convenient care, including the supply of appropriate medicines for these minor illnesses.

If you don't normally pay for NHS prescriptions, any medicines supplied to you under the Pharmacy First scheme will be free. If you usually pay for your presciption the cost of medicines should be much less than the current prescription charge.

Your phamacist is a qualified health professional who can help you with your health problems,  anything you discuss with your pharmacist will be confidential and they will offer you a private space to talk about your symptoms.

What about babies and children?

Your pharmacist can provide treament for babies and children for certain common conditions such as  nappy rash, colic, teething, mouth ulcers and head lice.

Can I go to any pharmacy?

All pharmacies will offer you advice and approporiate treatment for the symptoms, with most pharmacies participating in the schejme to provide certain medicines at NHS expense. If your pharmacy is not participating in thies scheme, they will be able to advise you of the nearest participating pharmacy.  Please Note: Otford Pharmacy is not taking part in this program.

What should I do if my symptons persist?

If your symptoms persist, you should seek further advice from your parmarcist or your GP. Bring any medication you have been using with you.

The NHS website, Patient.co.uk and the Health & Care Video Library are three excellent websites you can use free of charge.

They have powerful search functions so you can find what you need quickly

Most of our appointments are available to book on the day

• Our morning surgery booking line opens at 8am, please call as close to 8am as possible in order to secure a morning appointment. 
• Our afternoon surgery booking line opens at 12pm (Midday) please call as close to midday as possible in order to secure an afternoon appointment. 

When you call the surgery to book an appointment, the reception team will ask to take a brief summary of your problem. 

We have introduced the Care Navigation System, which has meant that we have trained our receptionists to help patients by identifying the most appropriate place for their care. 

Our receptionists are not clinically trained and therefore will not be able to advice or offer a triage service, they will simply direct your care to the most appropriate service. 

Guarantees you a response by the end of the next working day! Find out more by clicking here.

In an EMERGENCY call 999.
Emergencies are situations that cannot be managed at home and may be life threatening