No appointment is necessary for these, but you may have to wait or call back if we are busy. You can phone us first on 02825 821333 to check availability.
Consultation times are typically 15-20 minutes.
Pharmacy First Urinary Tract Infection Service
If you are female and aged between 16 and 64 you can be assessed and treated for Urinary Tract Infection symptoms in the majority of community pharmacies without having to wait for a GP appointment.
Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
You will have a confidential consultation with the pharmacist in a private area of the pharmacy. Your symptoms will be assessed and a urine sample taken if necessary.
The pharmacist will provide advice regarding self-care and what to do if your symptoms do not clear up or get worse. Treatment to relieve UTI symptoms is free of charge and an antibiotic may be provided if needed.
They may provide further advice or refer you to your GP if your symptoms have not cleared up or have got worse.
Pharmacy First Emergency Hormonal Contraception Service
The morning after pill is available from the majority of pharmacies across Northern Ireland.
If you are aged 13 or older, you can now get the morning after pill free from community pharmacies across Northern Ireland.
When using this service, you will receive a private and confidential consultation with the pharmacist without the need to make an appointment. The pharmacist will provide sexual health advice which includes the risks of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and how to obtain free tests if needed.
As well as providing free emergency contraception, the pharmacist will give you advice about regular methods of contraception. They may also give you a free three months’ supply of the contraceptive pill.
What is the morning after pill?
Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland will be able to provide further information about the service.
Pharmacy First Sore Throat Service
Sore throats are very common and are usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better within a week. Most are caused by minor illnesses, such as colds or flu and can be treated at home. For more information on managing a sore throat, click here.
The Pharmacy First Service for sore throat will be offered in most community pharmacies across Northern Ireland during December 2024 and March 2025. These dates may be subject to change.
Anyone aged 5 years and above with a sore throat can access the service in a participating pharmacy.
The pharmacist will offer a confidential consultation in a private area of the pharmacy where they will discuss how you are feeling and the symptoms you are experiencing.
The pharmacist may carry out a test, usually a throat swab, to help diagnose the cause of the sore throat if needed. Not everyone will need one.
Treatment is available free of charge to relieve symptoms such as pain and fever. The pharmacist will also offer advice.
Sore throats are normally caused by viral infections and will normally go away by themselves, however community pharmacists will provide advice and treatment where appropriate should a bacterial sore throat be diagnosed.
If your symptoms do not improve or get worse the pharmacist may advise you to see your doctor.
Flu Vaccination Service
(as defined in Table 19.4 (Flu) of the Green Book)
Some of the above criteria may change from time to time.
You can phone us first on 02825 821333 to check.
Quit Smoking – Smoking Cessation
This is a free support service, tailored to your needs. You don’t need to quit smoking immediately, but you will start making steps towards it. We will provide behavioural support and supply Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT – patches, inhalators etc.) where suitable, to smokers weekly for up to 12 weeks – if still quit after 4 weeks (verified by a carbon monoxide breath test).
At your first meeting with your pharmacy advisor, you’ll talk about why you smoke and why you want to quit, as well as any attempts you’ve made to quit in the past. You’ll also be able to decide on a quit date.
You’ll be offered a breath test, which shows the level of carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas in cigarette smoke, in your body.
You will be given information and support on:
Licensed nicotine replacement therapy is available free of charge if you register with a specialist stop smoking service based in a pharmacy. The pharmacy staff will offer advice and support and help you choose the type of NRT that will suit you best.
Pharmacy First Everyday Health Conditions
This service involves a consultation with a pharmacist and the patient is given advice and treatment if appropriate or the patient may be referred to the GP if serious symptoms are reported.
Speak to your pharmacist first about the following conditions:
Please note the age restrictions in which you would refer to your GP.
