About the podcast series
Pharmacy First launched in England on 31 January 2024, allowing patients access to assessment and treatment for seven common clinical conditions from their community pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment, as part of a major transformation in the way the NHS delivers care.
In this podcast series pharmacy colleagues and expert clinical speakers discuss issues surrounding the new service in community pharmacy and try to debunk some of the clinical myths. Each episode focuses on one of the clinical conditions, with an additional episode dedicated to paediatrics.
The first five episodes were published in October 2024; the remaining three will follow later in the year.
Further information
NHS England Pharmacy First resources
Sinusitis
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Alastair Hay and Simran Sirpal about some of the clinical issues surrounding the sinusitis service under Pharmacy First. Discussion includes why intranasal steroids are first line in suspected bacterial sinusitis, treating patients who are breastfeeding, as well as how to administer nasal sprays.
Further information
How to use a nasal spray – The British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI)
Sore throat
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Paul Little and Simran Sirpal about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the sore throat service under Pharmacy First. Discussion includes the FeverPAIN score, information to provide patients who don’t require antibiotics, strep A antigen tests, and exclusions from the PGDs.
Further information
Healthier Together guidance (tonsillitis/sore throat) for pharmacists
Community Pharmacy England Pharmacy First FAQs
Otitis media
Kieran Reynolds talks to Professor Nick Francis and Rahul Sharda about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the otitis media service under Pharmacy First. Discussion includes information to provide patients who don’t require antibiotics, signposting to resources to help with otoscope examination and why the otitis media service is limited to individuals aged 1-17 years.
Further information
Healthier Together guidance (otitis media (earache)) for pharmacists
Otoscope examination resources
CPPE: Ear, nose and throat examination – advancing clinical assessment skills workshop
CPPE: NHS Pharmacy First: Otitis media e-learning
CliniSkills: Clinical examination skills training for community pharmacy
British Society of Audiology: Recommended ear examination procedure
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
Kieran Reynolds talks to Naomi Fleming and Reena Barai about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) service under Pharmacy First. Discussion includes measures taken to limit the impact of antimicrobial resistance from Pharmacy First and why urine dipsticks aren’t recommended in the uncomplicated UTI service in Pharmacy First.
Further information
Community Pharmacy England FAQs
TARGET Treating Your Infection – Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) leaflet
Children
Kieran Reynolds talks to Dr Alicia Demirjian and James Milner about some of the clinical issues you may encounter when providing the new Pharmacy First service to children. Discussion includes practical hints and tips for examining children, how to manage parents’ expectations as well as reassure them about their child’s treatment.
Further information
Medicines for Children – how to give different types of medicines
Healthier Together guidance (otitis media (earache)) for pharmacists