Frequently asked questions

Pharmacy First is an NHS scheme that allows community pharmacists to assess, advise on and, where suitable, treat seven common conditions that previously meant booking a GP appointment. For these conditions you can come straight to Crewe Pharmacy without a referral, and the pharmacist will manage your care under the relevant NHS clinical pathway.

There are seven: sinusitis, sore throat, acute earache (otitis media), infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. Each comes with its own age and eligibility criteria, which you will find set out on our individual conditions pages.

For certain conditions, yes. When the NHS Pharmacy First pathway shows that an antibiotic or antiviral is the right treatment for your symptoms, our pharmacist at Crewe Pharmacy can supply it directly, with no GP visit needed. Antibiotics are not always the answer, so if self-care or a different approach is more suitable, the pharmacist will explain that and refer you on if your symptoms need further attention.

Yes, provided the child falls within the age range set for the particular condition. These limits exist for clinical safety reasons — for instance, the earache pathway covers children aged 1 to 17. Where a child does not meet the criteria, our pharmacist will still offer advice and arrange a referral to your GP or another NHS service if that is what is needed.

You will not be left without help. If your symptoms fall outside the Pharmacy First criteria, the pharmacist at Crewe Pharmacy can offer self-care advice, suggest a suitable over-the-counter remedy, or point you towards your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care, whichever is right for you. Nobody is sent away without guidance.

We can still help. The pharmacist will give general advice, recommend over-the-counter treatment where it is appropriate, and direct you to the most suitable NHS service, such as your GP or NHS 111. When you call 01270 215837 or visit the pharmacy, do mention what you need so we can check whether a Pharmacy First consultation is the right fit.

Just call us on 01270 215837 or pop into Crewe Pharmacy at 139-141 Nantwich Road, and we will arrange the next available slot with the pharmacist. For several Pharmacy First conditions you can also be referred to us by your GP practice or by NHS 111.

It helps to arrange a slot in advance by calling 01270 215837 or calling into the pharmacy, as this means the pharmacist can see you promptly in our private consultation room rather than asking you to wait. Booking ahead also keeps things running smoothly for everyone. You can equally be referred to us by your GP surgery or by NHS 111.

We do our best to offer same-day or next-day appointments whenever we can. Ringing ahead on 01270 215837 or calling into the pharmacy early in the day gives you the best chance of being seen quickly, as availability is naturally easier to arrange when slots have not already filled up.

Allow roughly 10 to 15 minutes. Your consultation takes place in our private consultation room, where the pharmacist will go through your symptoms, check any medicines you take and your relevant medical history, and work through the NHS clinical pathway for your particular condition before deciding on the best course of action.

It helps to bring a list of any regular medicines you take, a note of any allergies, and your NHS number if you have it to hand. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Photo ID is useful but not essential.

The Pharmacy First consultation itself is paid for by the NHS, so you pay nothing to be seen. If the pharmacist supplies a medicine, the usual NHS prescription charge applies — along with the same exemptions you would have at your GP, so if you do not normally pay for prescriptions, you will not pay here either.

Yes. Your consultation is held in a private, confidential room at the pharmacy. The pharmacist may ask about your medical history, the medicines you take and any allergies, and for some conditions a brief examination is part of the NHS pathway — looking inside the ear when assessing earache, for example.

Yes. The NHS Blood Pressure Check Service at Crewe Pharmacy is free and open to adults aged 40 and over who have not been diagnosed with high blood pressure, as well as younger adults who ask or who have particular risk factors. If your reading comes back high, we can arrange 24-hour ambulatory monitoring and pass the results to your GP for follow-up.

Yes. Under the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service, the pharmacist at Crewe Pharmacy can start you on oral contraception, continue or reissue the pill you already take, or move you onto a different one — whether combined or progestogen-only. There is no need to see a GP and no prescription charge for the contraception supplied through this service.

Yes, and it is free on the NHS at Crewe Pharmacy. Emergency contraception is most effective the sooner it is taken, so please call 01270 215837 or come into the pharmacy as soon as you can. The pharmacist will discuss your situation in private and, where it is suitable, supply it at no cost — and can also help you get started on regular contraception if you would like.

If you have run out and cannot get a fresh prescription in time, NHS 111 can refer you to a pharmacy for an emergency supply of a medicine you are already prescribed, following a brief assessment. Our Emergency medicine page explains how this works and links to the NHS 111 medicines help tool, or you can call 01270 215837 to ask the team at Crewe Pharmacy.

You can get travel vaccinations at Crewe Pharmacy & Travel Vaccination Centre on Nantwich Road. Our travel clinic offers protection for trips abroad, with a pharmacist-led risk assessment based on your destination, planned activities and medical history. We then recommend and administer the vaccines you need. To arrange a consultation, call 01270 215837 or pop in.

Yes. Our travel vaccination centre can advise on yellow fever requirements for your destination and issue the internationally recognised certificate where the vaccine is given. Some countries ask to see this certificate on entry, so it is worth checking early. Because requirements and stock can vary, please call 01270 215837 ahead of your trip so we can plan your appointment.

We confirm the price for ear wax removal at your appointment, with no hidden fees. The service uses gentle microsuction to clear blocked ears, which can ease muffled hearing and discomfort. A pharmacist will check your ears first to make sure the treatment is suitable. To ask about availability and pricing, call 01270 215837 or visit us on Nantwich Road.

Eligibility is confirmed during a private consultation at Crewe Pharmacy, where a pharmacist reviews your height, weight, health history and any medicines you take. Our weight management support is designed to be safe and tailored to you, and not everyone will be suitable. Pricing is confirmed at consultation with no hidden fees and reviews included. Call 01270 215837 to arrange your assessment.

Yes. As a full-service NHS community pharmacy, we dispense NHS prescriptions and can manage your repeat medicines. Once you are nominated with us electronically, your GP can send prescriptions straight to our pharmacy, ready for you to collect. We will also let you know when a repeat is due. To set this up, call 01270 215837 or speak to our team in store.

Yes. We offer flu vaccinations to help protect you through the winter season. Many people qualify for a free NHS flu jab, and a private flu vaccine is also available if you are not eligible. A pharmacist gives the injection quickly in our private consultation room. To check eligibility or book a slot, call 01270 215837 or call into the pharmacy.

Yes, we offer vitamin B12 injections at Crewe Pharmacy for people who want to support their energy and overall wellbeing. A pharmacist will discuss your needs and check the service is appropriate for you before administering the injection in our private room. Pricing is confirmed at your consultation with no hidden fees. To find out more, call 01270 215837 or visit us on Nantwich Road.

You can have your blood pressure checked at Crewe Pharmacy on Nantwich Road. A quick reading helps you understand your heart health, and our pharmacist can explain what your numbers mean and what to do next. If a reading is high, we can arrange further monitoring and share results with your GP. Call 01270 215837 or drop in to get checked.

Please contact us to check current prescription delivery arrangements for your area. We serve Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach, Wistaston, Haslington, Shavington and the wider Cheshire East area, and our team is happy to talk through the options for getting your medicines to you. Call 01270 215837 or speak to us in store, and we will let you know what we can offer.

Crewe Pharmacy is located at 139-141 Nantwich Road, Crewe, CW2 6DF, a convenient spot for the local area. For our latest opening hours and the easiest parking options nearby, please call 01270 215837 or visit our contact page. Our team is happy to confirm times before you travel so your visit is as smooth as possible.

For everyday NHS services and over-the-counter advice you can simply walk in. For private services such as travel vaccinations, ear wax removal or weight management, it is best to book ahead so a pharmacist can see you in our private consultation room without a wait. To arrange a time, call 01270 215837 or pop into the pharmacy on Nantwich Road.

You pay for private services directly at the pharmacy, and the cost is confirmed at your consultation with no hidden fees. Whether it is a travel vaccination, ear wax removal or another private service, our pharmacist will explain the price clearly before you go ahead. If you have a question about paying, call 01270 215837 or ask our team in store.