More people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are getting quick, expert help from their local pharmacy, with the number of consultations delivered through Pharmacy First increasing by almost 42% compared with last year.
Pharmacy First enables people to get expert advice and, where appropriate, treatment for common health conditions directly from a community pharmacist, without needing to see a GP first.
Community pharmacies in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight delivered just under 87,000 Pharmacy First consultations in the latest data which covers April to July 2026. This compares to 61,000 during the same four months in 2025 – an increase of over 25,000 consultations.
James Roach, Director of Neighbourhood Health at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said:
“It’s great to see so many people getting the same day care they need for minor health concerns from our brilliant local pharmacies.
“This is particularly important as we enter winter, when coughs, colds and other seasonal illnesses increase and demand rises across local NHS services. “By making pharmacy the first port of call for minor health concerns, patients can get help quickly while GP practices, urgent treatment centres and hospitals can focus on people with more complex or urgent needs.
“Community pharmacy will be fundamental to how our local NHS responds to winter pressures and to our longer-term ambition to deliver neighbourhood health services, closer to where people live.”
The figures come as the original seven common conditions covered by the Pharmacy First scheme expands the cover five new conditions. The new conditions will be introduced gradually at local pharmacies from autumn/winter 2026.
Existing Pharmacy First conditions:
- Shingles, for people aged 18 and over
- Sore throat, for people aged five and over
- Infected insect bites, for people aged one and over
- Earache, for children and young people aged one to 17
- Sinusitis, for people aged 12 and over
- Impetigo, for people aged one and over.
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infection, for women aged 16 to 64
Five new conditions are expected to be added to Pharmacy First from late autumn 2026. The expanded service will be available at community pharmacies with pharmacists who are trained to prescribe medicines. It will be introduced gradually, so it may take time before it is widely available. We are supporting pharmacies to make sure their staff, training and systems are ready to provide the service safely and effectively. The five new conditions are:
- Low-frequency episodic migraine, for adults, aged 18 to 64.
- Seasonal allergic rhinitis, including hay fever, for children aged four to 11.
- Acute otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear, for adults aged 18 and over.
- Mild to moderate acne, for young people and adults.
- Mild skin and soft-tissue infections and scabies. These are grouped within one new prescribing pathway rather than listed as two separate pathways.
Neil Hardy, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, said:
“Pharmacists are medicines experts and highly skilled clinicians who are well placed to assess and treat many common health conditions.
“A community pharmacy is often easy to reach and many pharmacies offer walk-in access, so patients can receive trusted advice without needing to wait for an appointment elsewhere.
“Pharmacy teams can also recognise when a condition may be more serious or when a patient needs to be seen by another healthcare professional. Patients can therefore be confident that they will receive appropriate advice and be directed to further care when necessary.
“The expansion of Pharmacy First will allow qualified pharmacist prescribers to use more of their clinical expertise. This is an important step in making pharmacy the natural first port of call for a wider range of everyday health concerns. We ask the public to please bear with our pharmacy community as we work to roll this out across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”
Pharmacy as a core pillar of neighbourhood health
Pharmacy First is part of a broader change in how health services are delivered, with more advice, assessment and treatment available in local communities. This supports the development of neighbourhood health across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by making better use of the expertise available through community pharmacies, general practice, community health services and other local partners.
Alongside Pharmacy First, community pharmacies may provide services including advice and over-the-counter treatments for coughs, colds and other minor illnesses, blood pressure checks, contraception, support with medicines and seasonal vaccinations. The services available vary between pharmacies.
Patients do not need a referral to use Pharmacy First and can approach a participating pharmacy directly. GP practices and NHS 111 can also refer eligible patients to the service.
People experiencing a minor health concern are encouraged to speak to their local pharmacy team. Anyone who is unsure where to get help can use 111.nhs.uk, while a life-threatening emergency should always be treated by calling 999.
Find your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website.
