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What do pharmacies offer?

Our local pharmacies have undertaken extensive training and innovation to offer you a wide range of NHS services.

Pharmacy First

From 31st Jan 2024, people across Benfleet, Thundersley and Hadleigh can pop down to their local pharmacy for help with seven minor conditions which would previously have required a GP appointment. Under the new service pharmacists can provide advice and, if clinically necessary, will offer an NHS medicine to treat it. The conditions are earache, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and urine infection (women).

Community Pharmacist Consultation Scheme (CPCS)

CPCS is where you can see a pharmacist instead of your GP practice for a range of minor illnesses.

Contraception services

Services may include starting and / or annual check ups for your contraceptive medicine.

Medicines, health and wellbeing

Advice at the point of asking, with some of our pharmacies being open late or at weekends for your convenience.

Discharge medicines service

For those who have recently come out of hospital, your regular medicines have often been changed. The pharmacist can go through your medicines with you, new and old, checking for discrepancies, changes, how you’re getting on and if any further action needs to be taken.

New medicines service

If you have just been given a new long term medicine to take, your pharmacist may invite you for a follow up, to give you advice about the new medicine and check how you’re getting on with it. This can help identify any problems to relay back to your GP if required.

Stop smoking services

Services may include access to prescription only therapies.

Seasonal vaccinations

Including ‘flu and COVID vaccines as part of the NHS campaigns.

Many of the pharmacies also offer a range of non-NHS services which you may find beneficial, ranging from travel clinics and vitamin B12 injections to private prescriptions and over-the-counter (pharmacy only) products. Ask in the pharmacy to find out more.

Page published: 21 February 2025
Last updated: 21 February 2025