Central Dales Pharmacy

11/03/2026

Y O U R M E D I C I N E S : Y O U R C H O I C E

Following some problems experienced by patients across the country with regard to the nominated pharmacies that patient’s collect their prescriptions from, we would like to remind all NHS patients that it is entirely patients’ own choice where they receive their medicines from, and it is against NHS Regulations for you to be told you must obtain your medicines from any particular pharmacy or dispensary. The Electronic Prescription Service used by NHS England allows you to obtain your prescription from any pharmacy across England of your choosing, not just the one nearest to home.

Changes to your nominations without your consent can disrupt your care, send prescriptions to the wrong pharmacy, leading to inconvenience, and are a breach of patient consent requirements set out by NHS Terms of Service.

Patients are free to choose their own nominated pharmacy, and must never be influenced, persuaded or incentivised to use a specific pharmacy or dispensary.

Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire are working with Community Pharmacy England and NHS England to overcome these rogue nominations, and if you think your prescriptions have been changed against your will, you should speak to your normal pharmacy or your GP practice who will be able to amend your nomination to your pharmacy of choice.

27/02/2026

Produced in conjunction with Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire, Healthwatch North Yorkshire have published a series of really helpful articles about the roles and services offered by community pharmacies. The next of these is attached below, discussing Repeat Prescriptions

A clear and simple guide to help you understand what your prescription includes, how to check your medicines safely, and how your local pharmacy can support you.

26/02/2026

Produced in conjunction with Community Pharmacy North Yorkshire, Healthwatch North Yorkshire have published a series of really helpful articles about the roles and services offered by community pharmacies. The first of these is attached below, with some myth busting about community pharmacies.

Community pharmacies are often the first place people turn to for healthcare advice, yet many misconceptions remain about the services they provide and the professionals who work there.

13/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

The Pharmacy First service is available without appointment for any qualifying patients for any of the listed conditions throughout our opening hours.

It is also available by referral from your GP practice, to help them manage their workload. Patients may be triaged by reception and sent to their nearest pharmacy for any of these conditions where you will generally receive the same treatment as you would from your Dr.

Prescription charges will apply where treatment is given through Pharmacy First.

12/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

I N F E C T E D I N S E C T B I T E

Insect bites and stings can commonly cause redness, pain and swelling at the site. However, this does not always mean that they are infected.

It is important to ensure that nothing remains in the skin and that the site is kept clean to help prevent infection. First line treatment can include:

- Ice packs
- Antihistamines
- Steroid creams
- Painkillers

However should a bite or sting become infected then treatment with antibiotics may be required.

If you have a bite or sting which is over 48 hours old and experiencing any of the following:

- itching
- redness and or swelling which may be spreading
- pain or tenderness to the area
- skin surrounding the bite feels hot to touch
- pustular discharge from the bite/sting

then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Available to anyone over one year old.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

11/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

I M P E T I G O

Impetigo usually affects skin which is already damaged, such as cuts, insect bites or eczema. To prevent impetigo you should keep any cuts and scratches clean. Anyone can get impetigo but it is more common in young children.

There are two types of impetigo:

Non-bullous

The most common type, presenting as red sores which burst easily to leave thick yellow-brown crusts. This is treatable under Pharmacy First.

Bullous

Presents as fluid filled blisters 1-2cm across which burst after several days of presentation. This requires treatment through your GP.

For anyone over a year old, and showing symptoms of Non-Bullous impetigo, then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

09/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

S H I N G L E S

Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. The first signs of shingles can be a tingling or painful sensation in an area of skin followed by a rash a few days later, and a headache or generally feeling unwell. The rash usually appears on one side of the body only.

If you are over 18 years of age and have any of the following:

- fever
- headache
- a rash that began as a burning, stabbing, throbbing, itching or tingling sensation
- a rash which appeared initially as red spots on a pink background
- some blisters may burst and some may be filled with pus or blood
- the area around the rash is dry with crusts and scabs forming
- the rash is on one side of the body only

then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

06/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

A C U T E O T I T I S M E D I A

Acute otitis media infections (ear infections) are very common, particularly in children. It often resolves within 3 days, but sometimes treatment is necessary.

If any child between 1-17 years of age has any of the following:

- earache in older children
- holding, tugging or rubbing of the ear infections younger children, and generally unwell, eg fever, crying, poor feeding, restlessness, runny nose or cough

then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

05/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

A C U T E S I N U S I T I S

Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses. It can be caused by infection and most people get better in 2-3 weeks without the need for antibiotics.

If you have any of the following:

- nasal blockage OR runny nose
- pain or pressure in the face or head
- a reduction or loss in sense of smell for adults, or a cough during the day or night for children
- that’s lasted LONGER than 10 days

then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

04/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

Next up…

U N C O M P L I C A T E D U T I

For women aged 16-64…

If you have any of the following:

- acute pain or burning sensation when passing urine,
- needing to pass urine more than normal during the night
- cloudy urine

then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed.

03/02/2026

P H A R M A C Y F I R S T

First up…

S O R E T H R O A T

Aimed at anyone over the age of 5…

If you have any of the following -

a high temperature,
white spots on the back of the throat
severely inflamed tonsils
no cough or cold symptoms
and are within 3 days of the onset of symptoms

Then your pharmacist may be able to offer treatment under the Pharmacy First service without the need to see your GP.

Come in and ask us for more information if needed

02/02/2026

Did you know, with the NHS Pharmacy First service, you can obtain treatment for SEVEN common ailments direct from your pharmacist WITHOUT having to get a GP appointment, saving you time and saving GP appointments for patients with more complex conditions?

We will tell you about each over the coming days in more detail, so watch this space 👀