17 December 2024

Dozens of pharmacies will stay open across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the festive period to continue to offer services and health advice. The Pharmacy First scheme also ensures that pharmacies can offer treatment and medication if needed.

The opening times cover Christmas Day (Wednesday 25 December), Boxing Day (Thursday 26 December), and New Year’s Day (Wednesday 1 January).

You can find the opening times for your local pharmacies here:

The Pharmacy First scheme which launched on 31 January 2024 means that patients can be offered treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. The seven conditions are:

  • Sinusitis
  • Sore throat
  • Earache
  • Infected insect bites
  • Impetigo
  • Shingles
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women aged 16-64

Pharmacy First enables community pharmacists to advise on how to manage a condition and supply prescription-only medicines (without a prescription), including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate.

Pharmacists are also trained to advise as to whether you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional if it is something more serious to ensure you get the help you need. They are also trained to provide health and wellbeing advice.

You can also visit this map which shows the pharmacies that will be open. Pharmacies are only listed if they have notified NHS England that they will be open and the times are also subject to change. Please check with the pharmacy before you travel and or you can visit the NHS England website for any updates or changes.

People are also being reminded to order their repeat prescriptions as soon as possible if their usual medicines will run out over the Christmas or New Year period – as it can take four or five working days for their request to be received.

Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “We would like to remind people who are on repeat medication to ensure that they check that they have enough supplies to get them through Christmas and the New Year, as obviously, despite the cover, a number of pharmacies will be closed. If you have friends and family coming to visit, please ensure they also bring any medication that they need so you avoid spending the holidays driving to an open pharmacy when you could be at home with friends and family.

“As well as being an invaluable High Street resource, pharmacies offer expert advice about over-the-counter medicines to treat common health conditions, as well as information on medication and a range of other services.

“There are lots of coughs and seasonal illnesses doing the rounds at present and pharmacists offer a fast and convenient service.

“They can also give you advice regarding medications or direct you to the right service if you need further support.”

As well as community pharmacies, there are a number of other services available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, these include:

  • NHS 111 online – this is a great place to start if you require advice and you will be directed to the right service.
  • Parents and young people can find a wealth of winter health advice on many common conditions on the Healthier Together website.
  • Urgent Treatment centres – they can help with injuries and illnesses that need urgent medical attention but aren’t life threatening. Waiting times can also be shorter than at Emergency Departments.
  • Shout text service (Mental health support service) – text SHOUT to 85258 or visit the Shout website for more information.
  • Emergency departments - Emergency Departments (EDs) at hospitals are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for serious and life-threatening conditions. If you or someone you know is experience a medical emergency you should call 999 or visit the nearest Emergency Department.

Further information about the Pharmacy First scheme in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can be found here: Treatment straight from your pharmacy