London pharmacists easing strain on capital’s GP practices

7 June 2025

Thousands of Londoners are fast-tracking their way to medical support by getting a private consultation at their local pharmacy, while reducing pressure on local GPs.

95% of London’s chemists have signed up to see people in the first instance for seven common ailments, including sore throats and uncomplicated urinary tract infections, thanks to the NHS ‘Pharmacy First’ initiative.

After five years of medical training, pharmacists can lighten the load for local GPs by providing trusted and timely care, close to home, for some of the most common conditions.

In just one year, London pharmacists have delivered over 385,000 consultations*. Of these, 10% would have otherwise called NHS 111, while 37% would have added to their GP’s waiting lists.**

Agatha Nortley-Meshe, GP, Primary Care Medical Director for the NHS in London and National Primary Care Medical Directorate Lead for UEC, said:  “It’s great to see that nearly all London pharmacies signed up to the Pharmacy First initiative, and are able to offer patients timely same-day care for common conditions under the scheme.

“The role of community pharmacy is vital in improving access to care, enhancing the overall patient experience, and supporting efficiency across the primary and urgent care system by easing pressure on other services”

Pharmacists are key players in strengthening the future of the NHS – shifting care from treatment to prevention, analogue to digital and from hospitals to the community.

Based in the heart of communities, pharmacies play a critical role in neighbourhood health services across the capital, offering convenient treatment that is close to home and available on the day.

Emily Wighton, Senior Pharmacy Integration Lead for the NHS in London, said: “Our capital’s pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are highly skilled professionals who are trusted by Londoners to provide clinical care, optimise the use of medicines and support people in their neighbourhoods to prevent and treat ill-health.”

To use the NHS Pharmacy First scheme in England you can self-refer by contacting your local pharmacy. To book an appointment in advance click HERE to find your pharmacy and call them or you can just turn up to enquire if they can do the appointment straight away. You can also be referred by a GP practice or NHS 111.

Notes 

*February 2024 – March 2025

**ePACT2 | NHSBSA. NHSBSA clinical and cost saving dashboards, and other predefined reports at practice level for all organisations, are available to NHS organisations to monitor impact of NHS funded services. Anyone working at the NHS, NHSBSA, or approved organisations can register.

 

source: NHS England