• Claygate Pharmacy and Travel Clinic, 35 The Parade, Claygate, Esher KT10 0PD
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NHS Advanced Service

NHS Pharmacy First
at Claygate Pharmacy

Get NHS treatment for 7 common conditions directly from our pharmacy — no GP appointment needed, no prescription required.

Free consultation · Prescription medicines supplied where appropriate · Walk in or call ahead

Call 01372 466116
Book online

No GP appointment needed
Free NHS consultation
Walk in — no referral needed
7 conditions covered

About the service

What is NHS Pharmacy First?

NHS Pharmacy First is a free NHS service that allows you to get treatment for 7 common conditions directly from your local pharmacy — without needing to book a GP appointment. It launched in January 2024 and is available at over 95% of pharmacies in England, including Claygate Pharmacy.

Where clinically appropriate, our pharmacist can supply prescription-only medicines including antibiotics and antivirals — all at NHS expense. Usual prescription charges apply (or exemptions if you qualify).

You can walk straight into our pharmacy or call ahead. You can also be referred to us by your GP surgery, NHS 111, or urgent care services. You do not need a referral to use this service.

How to access

1
Walk in or call usCome directly to 35 The Parade, Claygate or call 01372 466116

2
Private consultationOur pharmacist will assess your symptoms in our private consultation room

3
Treatment if appropriateWe supply medicines on the spot if clinically appropriate — no GP visit required

Conditions covered

7 conditions we can treat under Pharmacy First

Walk in without an appointment. Age restrictions apply — your pharmacist will confirm eligibility at your consultation.

Sinusitis

Facial pain, blocked or runny nose, and loss of smell following a cold. Available for patients aged 12 and over.
Age 12+

Sore Throat

Throat pain, difficulty swallowing, and swollen tonsils. Available for patients aged 5 and over. Antibiotics supplied if a bacterial infection is suspected.
Age 5+

Earache (Otitis Media)

Ear pain, often with reduced hearing or fever. Available for children aged 1 to 17 years. Antibiotics supplied if appropriate.
Age 1–17

Infected Insect Bites

Bites showing signs of infection such as redness, swelling, warmth or pus. Available for patients aged 1 and over. Antibiotics supplied where appropriate.
Age 1+

Impetigo

A contagious bacterial skin infection causing sores and blisters, often around the nose and mouth. Available for patients aged 1 and over.
Age 1+

Shingles

A painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus reactivating. Early antiviral treatment is most effective. Available for patients aged 18 and over.
Age 18+

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Uncomplicated UTIs in women aged 16 to 64. Symptoms include burning when urinating, frequent urges to urinate, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
Women aged 16–64

Emergency contraception (morning after pill) — now free at our pharmacy
From 31 October 2025, pharmacies can provide emergency contraception free of charge as part of NHS services. Speak to our pharmacist in confidence — no appointment needed.

Prescription charges

What does it cost?

The Pharmacy First consultation itself is completely free. If our pharmacist supplies a prescription medicine, the standard NHS prescription charge applies (currently £9.90 per item in 2025–26).

If you are exempt from prescription charges — for example because you are under 16, over 60, pregnant, or hold a valid prepayment certificate — you will not pay anything for the medicine either.

You may be exempt from prescription charges if you:
✓  Are under 16 years old
✓  Are 16–18 and in full-time education
✓  Are 60 or over
✓  Are pregnant or had a baby in the last 12 months
✓  Have a qualifying long-term condition (e.g. diabetes)
✓  Receive certain benefits
✓  Hold an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)

Why use Pharmacy First?

Faster care, closer to home

No GP wait
Get seen the same day, without waiting weeks for a GP appointment. Walk in during our opening hours.

Prescription on the spot
If you need a prescription medicine, we can supply it during the same visit — no trip back to a GP or separate pharmacy needed.

Expert clinical care
Our pharmacists follow strict NHS clinical pathways developed by NICE and UK Health Security Agency specialists.

Private consultation room
All consultations take place in our dedicated private room — confidential and comfortable.

Frees up your GP
Pharmacy First is estimated to free up to 10 million GP appointments per year — helping everyone get faster access to care.

Referral if needed
If your condition falls outside the service’s scope, we’ll refer you to the right service — GP, 111 or urgent care.

FAQs

Common questions

Do I need to book an appointment? +
No — for the 7 Pharmacy First conditions, you can simply walk into Claygate Pharmacy during our opening hours without an appointment or referral. You can also call ahead on 01372 466116 if you prefer.
Will I definitely get antibiotics or other medicines? +
Not necessarily. Our pharmacist will follow an NHS clinical pathway and only supply prescription medicines if they are clinically appropriate. In many cases, self-care advice and over-the-counter remedies are the right treatment. This is in line with NHS guidance on responsible antibiotic use.
Can I still see my GP if I prefer? +
Yes, absolutely. Pharmacy First is an alternative route to treatment — not a replacement for your GP. You can always choose to see your GP instead.
Will my GP know I visited the pharmacy? Will my GP know I visited the pharmacy? +
Yes. Following your consultation, a summary is sent to your GP electronically via GP Connect, so your medical record stays up to date. This is standard NHS practice for Pharmacy First consultations.
What if my condition is more serious than expected? +
If our pharmacist determines that your condition requires a GP, A&E or other specialist care, they will refer you appropriately and advise on the best next steps. Your safety is always our priority.
Is this service available for children? +
Yes, for most conditions. Age eligibility varies: earache covers ages 1–17, infected insect bites and impetigo cover ages 1+, sore throat covers ages 5+, and sinusitis covers ages 12+. Shingles is only available for adults 18 and over. UTI treatment is available for women aged 16–64 only.

Need treatment today?

Walk in to Claygate Pharmacy or call us — no appointment or referral needed.

Mon–Fri 09:00–18:15  ·  Sat 09:00–13:00  ·  35 The Parade, Claygate KT10 0PD



Call 01372 466116

Book online

NHS Pharmacy First is an advanced service provided by Claygate Pharmacy & Travel Clinic · GPhC Premises Reg. 9010943 · Superintendent Pharmacist: Mr Zohib Sheikh

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