The Government has just added five more health problems to the list meaning you can walk off the street and get seen immediatelyNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)10:32, 11 Sep 2026Updated 10:33, 11 Sep 2026The Government is increasing the number of conditions your local pharmacist can deal with, meaning you can effectively skip the wait for a GP appointment and get a free NHS consultation and treatment. Pharmacists will be able to treat people with more conditions as the “pharmacy first” scheme is expanded.‌The scheme allows people to get care for certain common illnesses from qualified pharmacists without needing to see a GP first.‌From this autumn as part of a phased rollout, people will be able to get help and treatment for acne, migraines, scabies, certain ear infections and allergic rhinitis from those pharmacies that take part. At the moment, pharmacies can treat several conditions under pharmacy first – including impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, one type of ear infection, sort throat and urinary tract infections.‌Under the NHS England Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can assess and directly treat 12 common conditions (originally 7, with 5 new conditions added) without requiring a GP appointment.Pharmacists can prescribe prescription-only medications—including antibiotics and antivirals—where clinically appropriate.‌Original 7 ConditionsUncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) (Women aged 16–64)Sore Throats / Tonsillitis (Ages 5 and over)Earaches (Acute Otitis Media) (Ages 1 to 17)Sinusitis (Ages 12 and over)Shingles (Ages 18 and over)Impetigo (Ages 1 and over)Infected Insect Bites (Ages 1 and over)5 Newly Added Conditions‌Low-Frequency Episodic Migraine (Adults)Mild to Moderate Acne (Young people and adults)Acute Otitis Externa (Outer ear infections in adults)Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever (Children)Scabies & Mild Skin InfectionsOnce fully rolled out, the NHS expects between two and three million consultations for the new list of conditions could be held in pharmacies. Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services at NHS England, said: “Thanks to community pharmacy teams, millions of people have received treatment for common conditions quickly and conveniently on their local high streets with the NHS determined to make it as easy as possible for people to get help.‌“As the NHS steps up winter preparations, we want to make sure that patients can get as much support as possible in their communities, so they do not have to be admitted to hospital unnecessarily. That’s why participating pharmacies will start offering help for new common conditions such as acne, migraines and ear infections – without needing to get a GP appointment first – so they’re freed up for people who need them most in the colder months.”Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “People are fed up with the scramble for routine appointments. They want help when they need it, close to home. That’s exactly what this delivers – no more taking time off work or waiting hours to get seen.“For five more common conditions, you’ll be able to walk into your local pharmacy and get treated on the spot. This is change families will feel in their day to day as we build a better Britain.‌“Treating people closer to home means catching problems earlier, easing pressure on GPs and A&E, and giving people back precious time.”How to access immediate health adviceThe devolved nations have equivalent schemes. Scotland r uns NHS Pharmacy First Scotland , Wales runs the Common Ailments Scheme amd Northern Ireland: Offers the Pharmacy First service locally for minor ailments..In England anyone registered with an NHS GP practice in England is eligible for the scheme. You must fall within the specific age bracket for the condition being treated.Article continues belowThe consultation itself is free for everyone. Standard NHS prescription charges apply to any dispensed medications unless you are normally exempt. To access the system w alk directly into almost any community pharmacy in England (over 95% participate) and request a Pharmacy First consultation.You can aso be formally directed to the service by your GP receptionist, NHS 111, or emergency/urgent care providers. The pharmacist will assess your symptoms in a private consultation room. If treatment is appropriate, they will prescribe medication on the spot and automatically send a summary note to your GP to keep your medical record updated.If the condition is too complex or out of scope, they will refer you directly back to your GP or an urgent treatment centre.