NHS pharmacies across East Lancashire will now offer people treatment for seven common conditions to ease the burden on GPs and reduce the number of unnecessary appointments.

Pharmacies across England, more than 90 per cent of all NHS outlets, are taking part to offer more convenient treatment for patients.

Pharmacists will be able to assess and treat patients for the following common conditions: sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (under the age of 65).

It’s hoped this change will cut the number of GP appointments by 10 million a year, easing the load on doctors and meaning those who need to see their GP can more easily.

It follows the successful rollout of contraceptive pill services at GPs in December, meaning women can access the pill without having to see their GP first.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of the NHS, said: “We know the NHS needs to give people more choice and make accessing care as easy as possible.

“This is great news for patients – from today you can pop into one of more than 10,000 high street pharmacies in England to get a consultation at a convenient time, with many pharmacies open late into the evening.

The government has made £645 million of new funding available to support the continued expansion of community pharmacy services.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Victoria Atkins, said: “The expansion of Pharmacy First will mean patients can get treatment for common conditions without needing to see their GP first.

“This is good news for patients and good news for the NHS. It will free up millions of GP appointments per year and mean that patients can get quick and effective treatment from their local pharmacy.

Paul Rees, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, added: “Pharmacies are the front door to the NHS so it’s good news for communities across England that pharmacies will be treating millions more patients with common ailments through Pharmacy First.

“Pharmacy First will improve access to healthcare, play to the strengths of pharmacists as medicines experts and free up GPs for other work that requires their particular skills. Patients will get convenient clinical advice, close to where they live, work and shop.

“This could be a stepping stone to the development of other NHS clinical services in the future, as patients become familiar with going to their local pharmacy for primary care.”