Community pharmacies step into the spotlight this Ask Your Pharmacist Week bringing care close to home across the North West
Monday, 3 November 2025
This Ask Your Pharmacist Week (3–10 November), the NHS in the North West is shining a light on the vital role community pharmacy teams play in delivering accessible, expert healthcare right on our doorstep.
This year’s campaign highlights how local pharmacies are transforming the way people access essential NHS services – offering everything from blood pressure checks and medicines reviews to contraception and urgent care, without the need for a GP appointment.
The theme of this year’s week is NHS services close to home, reinforcing the commitment made as part of the NHS 10 Year health plan, to increase the role of community pharmacy.
This happens in a week where, as part of a major expansion of pharmacy services announced by NHS England, people starting treatment with anti-depressants will be able to seek additional advice and support about their medication and healthy lifestyle changes from their local pharmacist and where free access to emergency contraception has rolled out to over 92% of pharmacies in our region.
Community pharmacies began offering oral contraceptive pill consultations and repeat supplies in 2023. Allowing women to start or continue the supply of their regular contraception from their local pharmacy. The inclusion of emergency contraception enables greater access to care, reducing health inequalities.
The initiative is part of a wider package of development for community pharmacy services. Expanding access to NHS services, helping people to get the care they need in convenient, familiar settings.
Karen O’Brien, Regional Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West, said:
“Pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and their wider teams are highly trained professionals who are able to assist with a variety of healthcare concerns and I am proud we have this week to celebrate and raise awareness of what they can offer.
“They are the unsung heroes of our health system and I want to recognise the vital role they are playing to support communities across the North West not only when they are ill, but also to help prevent ill health in the first place, from NHS blood pressure checks to help prevent strokes and heart attacks to vaccinations.”
Another stand out service helping to tackle NHS pressure is the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, which launched in January 2024. The service allows patients to access a clinical consultation and treatment for common conditions directly from their community pharmacy – no GP appointment required.
Conditions such as sore throats, sinusitis, insect bites, earaches, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) can now be treated with antibiotics given if required. This in turn is freeing up vital appointments in general practice for those most in need.
Since its introduction in the North West, Pharmacy First community pharmacists have provided over 561,000 consultations. Supporting patients who would have otherwise accessed a GP appointment or attend an urgent care setting. This service not only benefits patients by offering quick, effective care but also alleviates pressure on GP practices, allowing them to focus on more complex cases.
In addition to the Pharmacy First service, pharmacies in the North West have supported over 50,000 patients starting new medications each month and delivered more than 238,000 blood pressure checks in the past year alone. For patients with high blood pressure, pharmacists have facilitated referrals for diagnosis and treatment, ensuring these individuals receive the care they need and identifying people at risk of stroke and heart attack.
Dr Paula Cowan, Regional Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England in the North West and a local GP, said:
“I have been a GP for 22 years and over that time the role of community pharmacy has changed dramatically. Working in the heart of our communities, they offer so many important services and are a key part of the primary care family.”
As well as the new services that have been introduced, pharmacy teams also continue to be key to delivering the annual winter vaccination scheme.
Stephen Riley, Deputy Chief Pharmacist for NHS England in the North West said:
“As winter approaches, community pharmacies are playing a vital role in vaccination efforts. Many pharmacies across the North West are offering flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations, ensuring vulnerable people are protected this season.
“I've already had my flu vaccination, and I encourage everyone eligible to visit their pharmacy and do the same.”