The NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service (which replaces the Minor Ailments Service) launched in July 2020.
- NHS Pharmacy First PCA (please note that Annex E Approved List has now been replaced with the Approved list below)
- NHS Pharmacy First Approved List of Products
- Privacy Notice (a copy of this must be displayed in your pharmacy)
GP Signposting
Information that has been sent to GP practices about the Pharmacy First service. This document includes reference to GP signposting guidance which has been sent out to practices to help them triage patients before directing them to community pharmacies. You may find this guide useful to highlight when you should also be referring patients to GP surgeries.
PGDs
The Pharmacy First service also currently includes 9 PGDs for the treatment of impetigo, uncomplicated UTI, skin infections, shingles and hayfever. These are available on the Pharmacy First PGD page
Optometry Referrals
The Scottish Government has released an updated circular – PCA(O)(2023)05 & PCA(P)(2023)45 – which provides updated guidance aimed at both community optometry and community pharmacy teams, and an updated Patient Referral Form for the assessment and treatment of minor eye conditions on the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.
These documents can also be accessed via the NHS Scotland’s website for eye care professionals:
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland (eyes.scot)
Minor Injuries Unit / A&E Referrals
When deciding whether to refer a patient to either the Minor Injuries Unit at WGH, or to A&E, you may find this Summary of Inclusion Criteria useful.
Training
Turas Pharmacy First Training.
Useful Information
- Flow Chart summarising all possible consultation outcomes for Pharmacy First and Pharmacy First Plus
- Patient Consultation Forms can be used to record the details required to put your consultations through UCF.
- Pharmacy First – Daily Numbers Tracker can be used by the pharmacy team to record a tally/number of interactions every day to show trends.
- Pharmacy First – Monthly Numbers Tracker can be used by the pharmacy team to record the total number of interactions month by month across the year to show trends.
- Pharmacy First Questionnaire can be used by the pharmacy team to help analyse and improve processes and highlight any training needs.
- Patient Referral Form – to be used if SBAR facility in PCR not available
- “Pharmacy First” presentation (updated October 2023) gives an overview of the Pharmacy First service and helpful tips, and can be used to train new pharmacy staff.
- “The Changing World of Pharmacy First” (March 2024) gives an overview of the latest PGD changes, information on referral routes, info on claiming for consultations, and a comparison of the England and Scotland PF services.
- Leaflets and Posters order form can be used to order more Pharmacy First booklets for patients or Pharmacy First posters
- Translated Pharmacy First Leaflets (leaflets translated into many languages including Ukrainian)
- Pharmacy First video developed by NHS Lothian
- NSS Pharmacy First
- Community Pharmacy Scotland Pharmacy First
Quick Reference Fact Sheets for Pharmacy Teams
To help pharmacy teams train new staff members and refresh existing staff members’ knowledge, we have produced the quick reference one page Fact Sheets on common ailments treatable via Pharmacy First available on the Factsheet page
Updated: JN 25/6/25