NHS Pharmacy First

NHS Pharmacy First Service in Farnborough, Hampshire

Seven common conditions, assessed and treated by a pharmacist on Chapel Lane. No GP appointment or referral needed, and antibiotics are supplied on the day when clinically appropriate.

Pharmacy First Explained

What Is the NHS Pharmacy First?

Pharmacy First is an NHS service that launched across England on January 31, 2024. It allows community pharmacists to assess and treat seven specific conditions without sending you to a GP.

We follow the same NHS clinical pathways your surgery uses. Where a prescription-only medicine is needed, we supply it directly under a patient group direction.

The consultation itself is free. If we supply a medicine, you pay the standard NHS prescription charge, or nothing at all if you are exempt.

The service offers urgent repeat medicine supply if it was prescribed before. It also advises on minor illnesses. It’s a good idea to ask, even if your issue isn’t listed.

How It Works

How Our Pharmacy First Service Works

[Step 01]

Book an Appointment

Schedule online via simply book or walk in. NHS 111 or your GP can also refer you.

[Step 02]

Attend Your Consultation

Consultations occur in private rooms. A pharmacist assesses your history, symptoms, and necessary exams in about ten to fifteen minutes.

[Step 03]

Receive Treatment

If suitable, receive treatment before leaving. Otherwise, get self-care advice or a same-day referral, with notes sent to your GP.

What We Offer

Conditions Treated Under Pharmacy First at Chapel Pharmacy

Sore Throat

For ages 5 and up, we assess symptoms using FeverPAIN or Centor criteria. Most sore throats resolve within a week. If necessary, we provide antibiotics like phenoxymethylpenicillin on-site.

Earache

For children 1 to 17, we examine the eardrum with an otoscope. Most earaches improve without antibiotics. If infection is evident, we can offer antibiotics the same day.

Sinusitis

For patients 12 and older, acute sinusitis often follows a cold and lasts two to three weeks. We provide self-care advice for symptoms under 10 days and high-dose nasal corticosteroids after that.

Infected Insect Bites

For anyone aged 1 and over, we assess bites that are spreading or painful. Oral antibiotics are provided as needed, and severe cases are referred promptly.

Impetigo

For patients 1 and older with non-bullous impetigo, quick treatment is essential to prevent spreading. We typically start with antiseptic cream and offer advice on hygiene and school attendance.

Shingles

For adults 18 and older, antiviral treatment is most effective within 72 hours of rash onset. We assess the rash and provide antivirals or arrange an ophthalmology referral if necessary.

Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

For women 16 to 64 with lower UTI symptoms, we evaluate against NHS guidelines. If criteria are met, antibiotics like nitrofurantoin can be supplied. Special cases require alternative pathways.

Accessing Pharmacy First

How can you access the Pharmacy First Service?

There are four ways in:

Walk in

Come to the pharmacy at 102-104 Chapel Lane and ask for a Pharmacy First consultation.

Book online

Reserve a slot through our Simplybook booking page. NHS 111. Call 111 or use the online service and ask to be referred to a local pharmacy.

GP referral

Reserve a slot through our Simplybook booking page. Your practice can send you to us directly, which usually means being seen far sooner.

You need to be registered with a GP practice in England. You do not need to live in Farnborough, and you do not need to be one of our regular patients.

We run a pharmacy. First, we are open during opening hours, Monday to Friday 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. The pharmacy closes for lunch between 1 pm and 2 pm on weekdays.

Be Suitable

When Pharmacy First May Not Be Suitable

Pharmacy First is built around clear clinical criteria, and part of doing it properly is knowing when to say no.

You may need a GP, urgent care or A&E if:

Call 999 for chest pain, severe breathlessness, or sepsis signs. If unsure, call us or 111. We’ll guide you on the next steps and refer you if needed.

First vs GP

Pharmacy First vs GP: Where Should I Go?

Your situation
Best option
One of the seven conditions, symptoms started recently
Pharmacy First at Chapel Pharmacy
You need to be seen today, and your surgery is full
Pharmacy First, walk in or book a slot
A long-term condition, or symptoms lasting several weeks
Your GP
A condition outside the seven, such as a chest infection or acne
Our private prescribing clinic, or your GP
Chest pain, severe breathlessness, confusion, non-fading rash
999 or A&E

Using the pharmacy for these seven conditions frees up GP appointments for people who genuinely need them. That is the point of the scheme, and it is why surgeries can refer directly into the service.

Your consultation

What Happens During a Pharmacy First Consultation?

Why Choose Us

Why Choose Our Farnborough Pharmacy for NHS Pharmacy First Service?

Three consulting rooms

Three rooms mean you are seen in private quickly, even when the pharmacy is busy on a Monday morning.

Three full-time pharmacists

There is always a pharmacist free to consult, so the dispensary keeps running while you are being assessed in a side room.

Independent prescribers on site

If your condition falls outside the seven NHS pathways, our prescribers can often treat it privately the same day, with no GP wait.

Protected appointment slots

Booking through Simplybook holds a genuine time slot for you. You are not queueing behind a dozen prescription collections.

Over 30 years on Chapel Lane

We have treated families here across generations, which means we know the local GP surgeries and how to get you seen fast.

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google

Patients tell us the same two things: the queue moves, and someone actually listens. That is what we build the service around.

Free parking and a bus stop outside

Pull up, park for free and walk in. The bus stops directly outside the door, which matters when you feel rotten.

Everything else under one roof

Vaccinations, earwax removal, blood pressure checks, travel clinic and weight loss support are all here if you need them next.

Our Location

Areas We Serve in Farnborough

Contact Us

We're Always Here for You

If you’re interested in any of the services we offer, you’re welcome to reach out. We’d love to see you at Chapel Pharmacy.

 

Contact Info

GPhC Registered Pharmacy: 1031719

Come and see why families in Farnborough have trusted Chapel Pharmacy with their health for over 30 years. We're here for you.

Getting Here

Parking

Yes, limited parking is available. The Fox Inn pub also has ample parking space across the road.

Public Transport

A bus stop is located near the front of the pharmacy.

Patient Reviews

What Our Patients Say

Trusted by generations of families in Farnborough.

Posted on Google Google
Superchickenoodle profile picture
Superchickenoodle
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Excellent service from Mak and Raj! I couldn’t recommend Three Counties Travel Clinic on Chapel Lane highly enough. Mak and Raj were both extremely thorough, taking the time to talk us through everything clearly, explain the procedures and discuss all the available options. They went above and beyond with their advice, making sure we fully understood what was recommended for our trip and why. We never felt rushed, and their knowledge, professionalism and friendly approach made the whole experience reassuring and straightforward. Thank you both for such excellent service , highly recommended!
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Sam Bennetts profile picture
Sam Bennetts
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Always fantastic at Chapel Lane, most caring and friendly, helpful staff, would never go anywhere else!
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Kat Dahl profile picture
Kat Dahl
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Very thorough, professional and friendly. Would definitely use again and recommend.
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Michelle Coe profile picture
Michelle Coe
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Kind, caring and knowledgeable staff
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Andrew Fielding profile picture
Andrew Fielding
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Excellent service, got a same day appointment and the exact travel vaccine I needed.
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Tiffany Cann profile picture
Tiffany Cann
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Very friendly and quick to help
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Victorine Mputu profile picture
Victorine Mputu
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Very nice staff members
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michael sheridan profile picture
michael sheridan
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Easy and efficient booking! Needed one for an emergency ASAP, booked at 9pm the night before and was all done by 10am the following morning. Really friendly medical staff there and helped sort the malarial tablets for us too. Special mention to Ranju & Mak who made this a smooth process 🙏
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chris McCaffery profile picture
chris McCaffery
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They did great on my vaccination and mak is the best
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Emma Hart profile picture
Emma Hart
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Amazing service and advice
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be registered with a GP to use Pharmacy First?

Yes. You must be registered with a GP practice in England, though it does not need to be a Farnborough surgery or one we usually work with.

Yes. We send a consultation record to your registered GP practice, normally the same day, so your medical notes stay complete and accurate.

Sometimes. Several pathways exclude pregnancy for safety reasons, so tell the pharmacist upfront, and they will advise or refer you appropriately.

Yes. Pharmacists supply them under patient group directions, following strict NHS criteria that set out exactly when antibiotics are and are not appropriate.

No. The Pharmacy First consultation is free whatever the outcome, and you only pay a prescription charge if we supply a medicine and you are not exempt.

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Book Your
Appointment Today

Book online and take a protected slot at a time that suits you, or walk in and speak to a pharmacist today.