NHS services
Since 1865
Over 150 years providing care
About our NHS services
As well as our private travel and clinic services, Kensington Clinics provides full NHS community pharmacy services at both branches — including NHS prescription dispensing and the NHS Pharmacy First service. Advice from our pharmacist is free, and for most NHS services you won’t need an appointment.
Core NHS services
NHS prescription dispensing
Dispensing your NHS prescriptions, with repeat prescription support to help you stay on track.
NHS Pharmacy First
Advice and treatment for seven common conditions, often without needing a GP appointment.
New Medicine Service (NMS)
Support when starting certain new medicines for specific long-term conditions.
Discharge Medicines Service
Help understanding your medicines after a stay in hospital.
Contraception service
NHS oral contraception — ongoing supply and, where available, initiation, subject to a consultation.
Blood pressure check
Blood pressure checks for eligible adults (generally 40+), where available.
Flu vaccination
Seasonal NHS flu jabs for eligible groups.
Stop smoking & healthy living
Advice and signposting to help you live well, including support to stop smoking.
These services are offered where available and subject to eligibility. Please contact your nearest branch to check.
NHS Pharmacy First
Walk in — no appointment needed
A pharmacist can offer advice and, where clinically appropriate, NHS treatment (including some prescription-only medicines) for seven common conditions — often without needing a GP appointment.
Or get referred
You can also be referred by NHS 111 or your GP practice. After speaking with you, the pharmacist may refer you on to a GP or another service if that’s more appropriate.
Pharmacy First is not a replacement for urgent or emergency care. Serious or worsening symptoms should be checked by a GP, NHS 111 or urgent care.
NHS Pharmacy First
Sinusitis
Treatment for sinus pain and pressure that won’t clear on its own. Adults and children aged 12 and over.
Sore throat
Assessment and treatment for acute sore throats, including possible strep. Aged 5 and over.
Earache (acute otitis media)
Advice and treatment for ear pain and middle-ear infections. Aged 1 to 17.
Infected insect bites
Care for bites that have become red, swollen or infected. Aged 1 and over.
Impetigo
Treatment for the contagious skin infection impetigo. Aged 1 and over.
Shingles
Early assessment and antiviral treatment for the shingles rash. Aged 18 and over.
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI)
Diagnosis and treatment for lower urinary tract infections. Women aged 16 to 64.
If you fall outside these age ranges or criteria, the pharmacist can still give advice or refer you appropriately. Other eligibility criteria apply, and treatment is only given where clinically suitable.
How Pharmacy First works
1
Walk in or get referred
Visit us at either branch, or be referred by NHS 111 or your GP practice. No appointment is usually needed.
2
Speak with the pharmacist
Talk things through privately in our consultation room.
3
Assessment
The pharmacist assesses your symptoms to decide what is clinically appropriate.
4
Advice, treatment or referral
You will get advice, NHS treatment where suitable, or a referral if you need further care.
A private consultation room is available at both branches.
Costs
NHS advice from the pharmacist is free. If you are given a prescription-only medicine and you normally pay for prescriptions, the standard NHS prescription charge applies.
If you are exempt from prescription charges, you will not pay. Your pharmacist can explain what applies to you.
FAQ
Do I need an appointment for Pharmacy First?
What conditions can the pharmacist treat?
Will my GP be told?
Is there a charge?
Can I get my NHS repeat prescriptions here?
What if I am outside the age range?