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Getting The Right Treatment

Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Every year millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.

Self-care

Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter.

Click here for tips and advice from local clinicians on a range of minor illnesses.

Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. 

Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.  

Pharmacy First is a convenient new NHS service that is now available for patients across Liverpool. It allows people to walk straight into their nearest pharmacy and access prescription medicines and treatments for a number of minor conditions, without needing to contact or see a GP first.

People can seek prescription treatment for a number of common symptoms including:

  • sore throat (adults and children aged 5yrs and over)
  • urinary infections (women aged 16-64yrs)
  • sinusitis (adults and children aged 12yrs and over)
  • earache (children aged 1-17yrs)
  • eye infections (conjunctivitis)
  • impetigo (adults and children aged 1yr and over)
  • mild skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema or insect bite reactions (adults and children aged 1yr and over)
  • shingles (adults aged 18yrs and over)
  • oral thrush in babies
  • nappy rash for babies
  • minor cuts, burns and scalds

To start using the service, simply drop into any Liverpool pharmacy and ask about treatment for any of these conditions under 'Pharmacy First'. Any treatment provided under 'Pharmacy First' is completely free for people who don't pay for their prescriptions, and charged at the normal prescription rate for those who do. Parents and carers can access the service with their child or young person. 

Local pharmacies that offer this service include:

Lower House Pharmacy 225 Lower House Lane, L11 2SF. Tel. 0151 546 2294 

McDonnell’s Pharmacy 101 Broad Lane, L11 1AD. Tel. 0151 256 8879

Boots Pharmacy 31-33 Broadway, L11 1BY. Tel. 0151 226 1437

You can find details of all local pharmacies and the services they offer here.

NHS Walk-In Centres

NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services for patients based in England only. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:

  • Infection and rashes
  • Fractures and lacerations
  • Emergency contraception and advice
  • Stomach upsets
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Burns and strains 

NHS Walk In Centres treat around 3m patients a year and have proved to be a successful complementary service to traditional GP and A&E services. Some centres offer access to doctors as well as nurses. However, they are not designed for treating long-term conditions or immediately life-threatening problems.