NHS Pharmacist Prescribing Service
Speak directly with a pharmacist independent prescriber about a range of common illnesses and contraception. We can assess your symptoms, carry out an examination where needed and provide advice, treatment or an NHS prescription when clinically appropriate—all without needing a GP referral.
Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available Monday to Friday. Book online or call before travelling to secure your appointment.
Available to people living temporarily or permanently in Wales, or registered with a GP practice in Wales.
Expert NHS assessment, close to home
The NHS Pharmacist Independent Prescribing Service gives you convenient access to assessment and treatment for a defined range of common health conditions.
During a confidential consultation, a pharmacist independent prescriber will listen to your concerns, review relevant health information and carry out an examination or clinical checks where needed. Depending on the findings, you may receive advice and reassurance, appropriate treatment, an NHS prescription or help accessing another healthcare service.
You do not need a GP referral, and the consultation is provided free of charge through NHS Wales.
What the service offers
- A free NHS Wales consultation
- No GP referral required
- Same-day or next-day appointments usually available
- A confidential consultation at the pharmacy
- Clinical assessment and examination where needed
- Access to relevant information from your Welsh GP record, with your consent
- Advice, treatment or an NHS prescription where clinically appropriate
- Clear follow-up and safety-netting advice
- Referral to another healthcare service when this would be more appropriate
- A consultation summary normally shared with your GP, with your consent
- Consultations with Gareth available in Welsh or English
The aim is to provide the right care in the right place. Depending on your assessment, the most appropriate outcome may be advice, treatment, an NHS prescription, follow-up or referral.
Same-day and next-day care
The service is available Monday to Friday, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available.
Gareth provides most consultations, with support from other qualified pharmacist independent prescribers when available. You can book online, call the pharmacy or ask about walk-in availability.
Booking online or calling before travelling is recommended to secure your appointment, but some walk-in appointments may be available.
Conditions we can assess and treat
Our NHS pharmacist prescribing service covers the following areas when the condition can be safely and appropriately managed in the pharmacy. The outcome will depend on your individual assessment, and some symptoms may require further investigation or referral.
Ear conditions
- •Outer ear infections
- •Middle ear infections
- •Impacted or excessive earwax
Assessment and prescribing are provided through the NHS service. If physical earwax removal is required, we will explain the available options separately.
Throat, sinus and chest conditions
- •Sinusitis
- •Allergic rhinitis
- •Sore throat and tonsillitis
- •Oral thrush
- •Coughs and suspected chest infections
Assessment of throat, sinus and respiratory symptoms, including appropriate clinical checks and treatment where indicated.
Skin conditions
- •Fungal and candida infections, excluding fungal nail infections
- •Acne and rosacea
- •Inflammatory skin conditions and psoriasis
- •Dry skin and dermatitis
- •Shingles
- •Skin infections, including impetigo, cellulitis and paronychia
- •Hives and reactions to bites or stings
Urinary tract infections
- •Lower urinary tract infections
- •Suspected upper urinary tract infections and pyelonephritis
- •Urine-sample testing where indicated under NHS clinical guidance
- •Laboratory-result review and treatment follow-up
Gareth can assess urinary symptoms and, where appropriate, arrange laboratory testing to support diagnosis, antibiotic choice and follow-up.
Contraception
- •Emergency contraception
- •Starting oral contraception
- •Continuing or reviewing oral contraception
- •Combined and progestogen-only options where suitable
Confidential NHS contraception assessment, prescribing and advice without needing a GP referral.
Other common conditions
- •Bacterial conjunctivitis
- •Gout flare
- •Constipation
- •Migraine
- •Fever and suspected viral illness
- •Selected conditions covered by the NHS Wales Common Ailments Service
The conditions that can be assessed or treated depend on the patient's age, symptoms, clinical findings and the pharmacist prescriber available. Contact us if you are unsure whether the service is suitable.
Urine testing, results and follow-up in one local NHS service
Tynewydd Pharmacy pioneered a new approach to urinary infection care by becoming the first community pharmacy in Wales with direct access to Welsh Clinical Portal test requesting and results.
When laboratory testing is appropriate under NHS clinical guidance, you can bring a urine sample to the pharmacy. Gareth can request the laboratory test, review the result and consider whether your treatment remains suitable or needs to change.
Gareth can contact you when the result is available, or you can contact the pharmacy to discuss it. Relevant information can also be shared with your GP, supporting safer prescribing and more joined-up care.
Before bringing a sample
Please contact the pharmacy before bringing a sample if you are unsure. The team will confirm whether testing may be appropriate and explain how to collect and bring the sample correctly.
How the urine testing pathway works
Contact the pharmacy
Speak to the team about your symptoms and whether an NHS pharmacist-prescriber consultation is appropriate.
Bring a urine sample if advised
The team will explain how to collect and bring an appropriate sample.
Clinical assessment
Gareth will discuss your symptoms, health and medicines and determine whether laboratory testing is indicated under NHS guidance.
Laboratory result
Where testing is appropriate, Gareth can request it directly and access the result through the Welsh Clinical Portal.
Treatment review and follow-up
Gareth can contact you when the result is available, or you can contact the pharmacy. The result can help confirm whether treatment remains appropriate or needs to change, with GP involvement or onward referral where needed.
What happens at your consultation?
Tell us what is happening
The pharmacist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, medicines, allergies and any treatment you have already tried.
Review relevant health information
With your consent, the pharmacist may access relevant information from your Welsh GP record to support a safe clinical decision.
Complete an examination or clinical checks
Depending on the problem, this may include looking in your ears or throat, listening to your chest, checking blood pressure, temperature or oxygen levels, or arranging an appropriate test.
Agree the next step
This may be advice and reassurance, treatment, an NHS prescription, follow-up or referral to another healthcare service.
Keep your care connected
With your consent, a detailed consultation record is normally sent to your GP so that your care remains connected and your medical record can be updated.
Gofal yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg
Care in Welsh or English
Consultations with Gareth are available in Cymraeg (Welsh) or English. You are welcome to use the language in which you feel most comfortable discussing your health.
Frequently asked questions
Need help with a common health condition?
Book a free NHS consultation with one of our pharmacist independent prescribers. Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available Monday to Friday, with no GP referral needed.
Book online or call before travelling to secure your appointment.
This service is not intended for medical emergencies. Call 999 for severe or life-threatening symptoms. Contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent advice when the pharmacy is closed or the prescribing service is unavailable.
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