Common Ailments Scheme

Common Ailments Scheme | Free NHS Treatment at Your Pharmacy | Allied Pharmacies

The Common Ailments Scheme, also known as the Pharmacy First service, allows you to get free NHS advice and treatment for a range of minor health conditions directly from your local pharmacy — without needing to see a GP. This helps you get the care you need quickly and conveniently, while freeing up GP appointments for patients who need them most.

At Allied Pharmacies, our trained pharmacists can assess your symptoms, provide professional advice and supply NHS-funded medication for a wide range of common conditions. No appointment is needed at many locations.

Use the postcode search below to find your nearest Allied Pharmacy offering the Common Ailments Scheme.

What Is the Common Ailments Scheme?

The Common Ailments Scheme is an NHS-funded service that enables community pharmacists to treat minor illnesses and provide medication free of charge. Instead of booking a GP appointment for a minor health concern, you can visit your local Allied Pharmacy and receive the same quality of care from a trained healthcare professional.

The scheme is part of the NHS strategy to make healthcare more accessible and to reduce pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments. It ensures that patients with minor conditions can be seen quickly, often on the same day, without the wait associated with a GP appointment.

Who Can Use the Common Ailments Scheme?

The Common Ailments Scheme is available to anyone registered with a GP in the area served by the pharmacy. This includes:

• Adults of all ages
• Children and babies (parents or guardians can bring children for assessment)
• Elderly patients who may find it easier to visit a pharmacy than a GP surgery
• Working adults who need flexible access to healthcare outside normal GP hours

You do not need a GP referral or prior appointment. Simply walk into your nearest participating Allied Pharmacy and speak to a pharmacist.

Conditions Covered by the Common Ailments Scheme

The scheme covers a wide range of minor health conditions. While the exact list may vary by region, common conditions treated include:

• Coughs, colds and sore throats
• Earache and ear infections
• Hay fever and allergies
• Head lice
• Skin conditions including eczema, acne, athlete's foot and fungal infections
• Eye conditions including conjunctivitis and dry eyes
• Digestive problems including indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women
• Oral thrush
• Impetigo and infected insect bites
• Back pain and muscle strains
• Minor cuts, burns and skin irritations
• Teething and nappy rash in babies

If your condition is not suitable for pharmacy treatment, your pharmacist will refer you to your GP or advise you on the appropriate next step.

How the Common Ailments Scheme Works

Using the Common Ailments Scheme at Allied Pharmacies is simple.

• Walk in — visit your nearest participating Allied Pharmacy. No appointment is needed in most cases
• Consultation — your pharmacist will have a private conversation with you about your symptoms and medical history
• Assessment — the pharmacist will assess your condition and determine whether it can be treated under the scheme
• Treatment — if appropriate, the pharmacist will supply medication free of charge under the NHS. You will also receive advice on self-care and when to seek further help
• Referral — if your condition requires further investigation or is beyond the scope of pharmacy treatment, your pharmacist will refer you to your GP

The entire process is usually completed in a single visit, often within 15 to 20 minutes.

Benefits of the Common Ailments Scheme

• Free NHS treatment — no prescription charges for medication supplied under the scheme
• No appointment needed — walk in and be seen, often on the same day
• Faster access — avoid waiting days or weeks for a GP appointment
• Convenient locations — your local high street pharmacy is often closer and more accessible than your GP surgery
• Extended opening hours — many pharmacies are open evenings, weekends and bank holidays
• Professional care — trained pharmacists provide expert advice and treatment

• One of the biggest advantages of the Common Ailments Scheme is accessibility. There are more than 11,000 community pharmacies across England alone, meaning most people live within a short walk or drive of their nearest pharmacy. Unlike GP surgeries, pharmacies do not require you to register and many are open late evenings, weekends and bank holidays. This makes pharmacy the most accessible healthcare setting for many people, particularly those who work during standard GP hours or live in rural areas with limited GP availability.

   

  Reduces GP pressure — helps keep GP appointments available for patients with more complex needs

Common Ailments Scheme vs Pharmacy First

You may have heard the terms "Common Ailments Scheme" and "Pharmacy First" used interchangeably. Both refer to NHS-funded services that allow pharmacists to treat minor conditions without a GP referral, though the exact name and scope may vary depending on your region.

Under the Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can now also treat certain conditions that previously required a GP prescription, including uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and earache. This expanded scope means even more conditions can be treated quickly and conveniently at your local pharmacy.

At Allied Pharmacies, our pharmacists are trained to deliver the full range of NHS-funded minor illness services available in your area.

What to Bring to Your Pharmacy Consultation

To help your pharmacist provide the best possible care, it is helpful to bring the following to your appointment:

• A list of any medications you are currently taking, including over-the-counter products and supplements
• Details of any allergies you have
• Your NHS number if you have it (though this is not essential)
• Information about how long you have had your symptoms and any treatments you have already tried

You do not need to bring anything specific — your pharmacist will ask all the necessary questions during your consultation. The most important thing is to come in as soon as you notice symptoms so treatment can begin promptly.

When to See a GP Instead

While the Common Ailments Scheme covers many minor conditions, you should see your GP if:

• Your symptoms are severe, getting worse or have lasted a long time
• You have a long-term health condition that may be affecting your symptoms
• You are pregnant and have concerns about taking medication
• Your pharmacist has advised you to see a GP for further assessment
• You need a repeat prescription for an ongoing condition

Your pharmacist will always tell you if they think you need to see a GP, and can help arrange a referral if necessary.

Why Choose Allied Pharmacies?

• Part of the NHS Common Ailments Scheme — free treatment for eligible conditions
• Trained, GPhC-registered pharmacists
• Private consultation rooms available
• Convenient high street locations across the UK
• No appointment needed at most locations
• Extended opening hours at many pharmacies

Related Services

Allied Pharmacies also offers these related health services:

• Back Pain Treatment — pharmacist assessment and pain relief for back pain
• Earache Treatment — consultation and treatment for ear pain
• Hayfever Relief — treatment for seasonal allergies
• Impetigo Treatment — antibiotic treatment for skin infections
• Oral Thrush Treatment — antifungal treatment available from your pharmacist
• Head Lice Treatment — effective pharmacy treatments for head lice

Visit our full list of pharmacy services to see everything available at your nearest Allied Pharmacy.

Find the Common Ailments Scheme Near You

The Common Ailments Scheme is available at participating Allied Pharmacies across the UK. Use the postcode search above to find your nearest pharmacy and get free NHS treatment for minor health conditions today.

For more information about getting help from your pharmacist, visit the NHS pharmacy services page.