Homepage

Health A to Z

Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.

Go to the Health A to Z

Medicines A to Z

Find out how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to the Medicines A to Z

Pharmacy First

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

  • coughs
  • colds
  • sore throats
  • tummy trouble
  • aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Most pharmacies can also offer prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP or make an appointment. This is called Pharmacy First.

Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:

  • impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
  • earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
  • sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
  • sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
  • shingles (aged 18 years and over)

If you are not within these age ranges, a pharmacist can still offer advice and support decisions about self care treatment with over the counter medicines, but you may need to see a GP for treatment.

If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other health professional if needed. They will also update your GP health record, but your information will not be shared with anyone else.

Most pharmacies can provide prescription medicine for these conditions but contact them before visiting to check.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

 

Find A Pharmacy

NHS App

Download the NHS App or open the NHS website up and login to access a range of NHS services online.

The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. You can also access the same services in a web browser by logging in through the NHS website.

You must be aged 13 or over to use the NHS App. You also need to be registered with a GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. Find out more about who can use the NHS App.

Depending on your GP surgery or hospital, you may be able to use the NHS App to:

  • message your GP surgery or a health professional online
  • contact your GP surgery using an online form and get a reply
  • access health services on behalf of someone you care for
  • view and manage your hospital and other healthcare appointments
  • view useful links your doctor or health professional has shared with you
  • view and manage care plans

NHS App

Let’s keep talking to prevent male suicide

The statistics are shocking. Every two hours a man in the UK takes his own life and it's the biggest killer of men under 49. Male suicide and mental health is a big issue that demands more attention. It's unacceptable that so many men are dying from suicide daily, yet there is still so much stigma surrounding this subject.

Our campaign in Lancashire and South Cumbria aims to reach all men, not just those already using our services. We recognise that there are cultural barriers that stop men from seeking help and we need to find a helpful and informative way to talk about male suicide.

Male suicide should be seen as a health and gender inequality issue. It is an avoidable difference in health and lifespan that can also be linked to deprivation. Men are more affected because of societal expectations on how they should behave. We need to look beyond individual mental health problems and understand the social and cultural factors that make people feel like they want to die.

Through our campaign;

  • We are encouraging people to have open and direct conversations about suicide, with men.
  • We are asking employers to create workplace environments that promote openness and honesty.
  • We are willing men to speak out if they are struggling. 
For more information please visit
Grassroots Suicide Prevention