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Pharmacy First

NHS Pharmacy First in Solihull

If you are dealing with a common condition and need help today, you may not need to wait for a GP appointment. With NHS Pharmacy First, our community pharmacy team can assess your symptoms and check eligibility. If it is clinically appropriate, you may be offered NHS advice or treatment. If it is not suitable, we will explain why and guide you to the right next step.

Walk in today Check eligibility

GPhC-registered pharmacy team. Assessment-led care. Treatment is subject to eligibility and clinical assessment.

Am I eligible for NHS Pharmacy First?

NHS Pharmacy First is an NHS service in England that helps you access pharmacist assessment for 7 common conditions.

You can usually use it if:

Your symptoms match one of the Pharmacy First conditions
You meet the NHS eligibility criteria, including age ranges for some conditions
It is clinically appropriate to treat in a community pharmacy

If you are not eligible, or it is not suitable to manage in pharmacy, we can still advise on self-care and guide you to the right service, such as your GP or NHS 111.

Speak to the team

What we can help with

Pharmacy First covers 7 clinical pathways. We will assess your symptoms and apply the NHS criteria, including age ranges.

Conditions covered (with NHS age ranges):

Sinusitis (12+)
Impetigo (1+)
Sore throat (5+)
Shingles (18+)
Earache (1–17)
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (women 16–64)
Infected insect bite (1+)

If your symptoms are outside the criteria, you can still speak to us. We can advise, and we will signpost you to the right next step.

Walk in today

When to get urgent help

Pharmacy First is for specific conditions and does not replace urgent care.

If it is an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.

If you need urgent advice and it is not an emergency, use NHS 111.

If you are worried, symptoms are severe, or things are rapidly getting worse, we will guide you to the safest option, which may be your GP, NHS 111, or urgent care.

Call us or visit

Call us or visit

What happens next

Walk in during opening hours and tell our team what is going on. We will ask a few questions, check for red flags, and confirm whether NHS Pharmacy First applies, including eligibility criteria. Possible outcomes:

Advice and self-care guidance
If eligible and clinically appropriate, NHS treatment may be offered
If it is not suitable, we will explain why and signpost you to the right next step, such as your GP or NHS 111

Check eligibility

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Check eligibility

What to expect

Visit us

Arrive

Walk in during opening hours. If we are busy, you may need to wait, and we will keep things clear and calm.
Assessment

A pharmacist-led assessment of your symptoms, eligibility criteria, and whether Pharmacy First is the right pathway for you.
Outcome

You will leave with clear next steps. Where clinically appropriate and you meet the NHS criteria, you may be offered NHS advice or treatment. If not suitable, we will signpost you.

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Why choose Monkspath for your healthcare?

Clinically-led, judgement-free care

A warm, professional team focused on assessment-led support, evidence-based advice, and calm reassurance.

Clear eligibility, right away

We make it easy to check whether Pharmacy First is suitable, including what’s covered and the NHS age ranges.

Safety-first boundaries

We keep things clear and compliant. If Pharmacy First is not suitable, we explain why and signpost you.

Confident next steps

You’ll know what happens when you arrive, and what the possible outcomes are, without overpromising.

Walk-in local support

Based in Solihull, with a simple next step for urgent needs. Walk in during opening hours, or call first.

Private space for sensitive questions

If you need to talk in confidence, you can speak to the team in a dedicated consultation space.

See how Monkspath works

Visit Monkspath Pharmacy in Solihull

6 Farmhouse Way, Shirley, Solihull B90 4EH

Opening Times

Monday – Friday	9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday	9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday	Closed

0121 704 4485

Free parking available outside the pharmacy

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Frequently asked questions

What is NHS Pharmacy First?

NHS Pharmacy First is an NHS service in England that lets you access a pharmacist assessment for 7 common conditions. If you meet the eligibility criteria and it is clinically appropriate, you may be offered NHS advice or treatment. If not, you will be guided to the right next step.

Is NHS Pharmacy First free?

The consultation is NHS-funded. If a prescription-only medicine is supplied, standard NHS prescription charges can apply unless you are exempt.

Can I get antibiotics from the pharmacy?

Sometimes, but not automatically. We assess whether your symptoms suggest a bacterial infection and whether Pharmacy First criteria apply. If antibiotics are not clinically appropriate, we will explain why and advise on the safest next step.

What if I’m not eligible or it’s not suitable?

You can still speak to us. We can advise on self-care and guide you to the right service, such as your GP, NHS 111, or urgent care, depending on your symptoms.

Will my GP be told about the consultation?

Yes. Pharmacy First consultations are recorded and your GP record is updated so your usual care team can see what happened.

Need help today?

Walk in for an NHS Pharmacy First assessment. We will check symptoms, eligibility criteria, and whether it is clinically appropriate to treat in pharmacy. If you can be helped under Pharmacy First, you may be offered NHS advice or treatment. If not suitable, we will explain why and signpost you.

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