Community Pharmacy

We want to encourage working aged adults and parents of young children to view their local pharmacy as the first port of call for minor health concerns.

Pharmacists are medically trained experts in a variety of areas and can help with lots of common conditions and minor illnesses, such as colds, sore throats, tummy trouble, aches, pains and minor injuries. They can also offer medication advice, free consultations, vaccinations, emergency contraception, incontinence supplies, pregnancy testing and much more. Many pharmacies are open late and offer private consultations, no appointment necessary. Pharmacists also have the right training to identify and advise if someone needs to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional.

South west London has nearly 300 pharmacies ready to help. For a full list of services and details of where to find local pharmacies visit the NHS website.

We are participating in a new approach to improve access for patients to GP appointments. The aim is to direct patients to the most appropriate healthcare professional, which may be a GP or a pharmacist.

If your symptoms could be resolved by a booked consultation with the pharmacist instead of the GP, you will be given a same-day referral to a local pharmacy of your choice.

Pharmacists are highly trained and skilled clinicians experienced in treating minor illnesses.

This will also help us to free up GP appointments for people with more complex health needs and ensure that everyone gets treated at the right time, by the right healthcare professional.