Overview
- The NHS says 98.7% of GP practices in England now provide online forms so patients can request care without ringing.
- A winter message on X asks people to seek non‑emergency help through community pharmacies or NHS 111.
- Pharmacy First treats seven conditions: sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.
- Pharmacist consultations can be private and may include examinations, access to medical records, and prescriptions for antibiotics or antivirals when appropriate.
- Access rules apply: shingles 18+; sore throat 5+; UTIs women 16–64; infected insect bites 1+; impetigo 1+; sinusitis 12+; earache 1–17; NHS 111 online serves England only for ages 5+ with callbacks queued alongside phone users.