The Pharmacy First scheme means you can go and see a pharmacist about several minor illnesses and conditions you would previously have had to see your GP about. You can visit your pharmacist for a consultation, and they will treat you and prescribe medicines if necessary. If your condition is more serious you will be referred to a GP or hospital.

If you do not pay for your NHS prescriptions, you will not have to pay for any medication the Pharmacist Prescribes.

We may refer you to a pharmacy of your choice if you call us with an issue the pharmacy can treat.

What can they treat?

Under Pharmacy First, pharmacists can treat and prescribe medicines for seven conditions. These are the conditions, and at what age, you can see the pharmacist about:

What is a Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)?

MECS is a service that can provide you with optician led care. Kind of like Pharmacy First, it gets you the best help at a convenient time.

Symptoms that can be seen under the service include:

• Red eye or eyelids
• Dry eye, or gritty and uncomfortable eyes
• Irritation and inflammation of the eye
• Significant recent sticky discharge from the eye or watery eye
• Recently occurring flashes or floaters
• In-growing eyelashes
• Recent and sudden loss of vision
• Foreign body in the eye

If you have very minor symptoms, you may be advised to self-care or seek support from your local pharmacy first.

Where should I go?

If you believe you are eligible, please use this link to find your closest participating pharmacy: https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice/

This is not a walk in service or an eye test appointment

Please contact the optician before you arrive to make sure they can give you the right advice. 

Who is this service for?

If you are registered with a local GP in an area where the service is commissioned, you can use this service. It is for people of all ages – adults and children. Children under 16 years must be accompanied at their appointment by an adult.

How do I book an appointment with the service?

To make an appointment, call one of the participating optical practices. A local participating practice can be found online at: primaryeyecare.co.uk/find-a-practice 

You will be asked some questions about your symptoms to assess how quickly you need to be seen by the service, which will be within 24hrs in urgent cases and within a few days for non-urgent cases.

If your condition is more serious, the optometrist will book you an urgent appointment at a hospital eye clinic.

If you need a routine appointment with a hospital, the optometrist will organise this for you.