Do you need to see the GP?
Sometimes the GP is not the most appropriate Healthcare Professional to deal with your ailment. Please see the information on see a Doctor or Healthcare Professional, which might help you decide whether a GP appointment is truly necessary or whether it might be better for you to see a Pharmacist, Optician, Dentist or other Healthcare Professional. You can even self-refer for some services without seeing your GP.
For real life-threatening emergencies such as those below – RING 999
Chest pain (suspected heart attack)
Suspected stroke
Suspected meningitis
Anaphylactic shock (severe allergy)
Heavy bleeding or deep lacerations
Fluctuating levels of consciousness or completely unconscious
Difficulty breathing or stopped breathing with a change in colour
New seizure, fit or uncontrollable shaking
For immediately serious conditions such as the following, GO TO Emergency Department (A&E) IMMEDIATELY
A fever and lethargic (drowsy) child
A feverish and floppy (unresponsive) infant
Difficulty breathing
Sudden, severe abdominal pain
Accidental or intentional overdose of medication
Trauma (including falls) and possible broken bones or road traffic accident
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy (a pharmacy with a contract to provide NHS prescriptions and services).
If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice
You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy
Your pharmacist can give you advice for a minor illness, and medicine if they think you need it
They will set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you
You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.
Who is the service for?
You can use NHS Pharmacy First Scotland if you are registered with a GP practice in Scotland or you live in Scotland. Speak to the pharmacy team if you need further details. Visitors to Scotland are excluded.
How does the service work?
Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns
A pharmacist can give you advice and treatment (if you need it)
For minor illnesses such as the following.
Acne | Head lice |
Allergies | Haemorrhoids (piles) |
Athlete’s foot | Hay fever |
Backache | Impetigo |
Blocked or runny nose | Indigestion |
Cold sores | Mouth ulcers |
Constipation | Pain |
Cough | Period pain |
Cystitis (in women) | Sore throat |
Diarrhoea | Threadworms |
Earache | Thrush |
Eczema | Warts |
Do you need Social Care & Support?
There are lots of services which offer help and support to improve your quality of life and allow you to continue to live in your own home. For example, if you are elderly or disabled, have a long-term health condition or are unwell. However, it can sometimes be confusing to try to work out what help is available and who offers what services. How to get social care services - Citizens Advice