Who can use the NHS Minor Ailments Scheme?

You need to be exempt from NHS prescription charges and registered with a GP practice in the Black Country — Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall or Wolverhampton. People seeking asylum who are not yet registered with a GP are also covered. You cannot use it if you have already seen a GP, or plan to, for the same symptoms.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. The medicine and the pharmacist's advice are both free of charge for eligible patients. The scheme is commissioned and paid for by the Black Country Integrated Care Board.

How many times can I use the scheme?

Up to six times in any 12-month period, across all pharmacies rather than just one.

Which conditions are covered?

Thirty-one conditions, including acute cough, fever, earache, hay fever, conjunctivitis, athlete's foot, threadworm, head lice, constipation, diarrhoea, cystitis, thrush, scabies, mouth ulcers, nappy rash, teething, haemorrhoids, sprains and strains, sunburn, and warts and verrucas.

Do I need a GP appointment?

No. That is the point of the scheme — a pharmacist assesses your symptoms and supplies the medicine if it is appropriate, without you needing to see a GP.

What if the pharmacist decides not to supply?

They will tell you why and what to do instead. Sometimes that means referral to your GP, NHS 111 or A&E, because some symptoms need assessment rather than treatment. Nothing is supplied until a pharmacist has checked it.

Free NHS Minor Ailments Scheme | Sandwell Pharmacy Group

Conditions we treat

Conditions & available medicines

Our pharmacist can assess your symptoms and provide the appropriate medicine free of charge for the following conditions.

Acute Bacterial Conjunctivitis

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Acute Cough

All ages · 3 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Acute Fever

Under 16 only · 5 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Acute Pain/Earache/Headache/Temperature

16 and over · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Athletes Foot

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Bites and Stings and Allergies

All ages · 6 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Cold and Flu

All ages · 5 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Coldsores

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Constipation

All ages · 5 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Cystitis

16 and over · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Dermatitis/Allergic type rashes

All ages · 4 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Diarrhoea

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Dry Skin (Simple Eczema)

Under 16 only · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Earache

Under 16 only · 5 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Earwax

All ages · 3 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Haemorrhoids

16 and over · 4 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Hay Fever

All ages · 11 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Headlice

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Heartburn/Indigestion

16 and over · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Infant Decongestant

Under 16 only · 1 medicine on the NHS formulary.

Mouth Ulcers

16 and over · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Mouth Ulcers and Teething

Under 16 only · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Nappy Rash

Under 16 only · 1 medicine on the NHS formulary.

Oral Thrush

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Scabies

All ages · 6 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Sore Throat

16 and over · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Sprains and Strains

16 and over · 3 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Sunburn

Under 16 only · 1 medicine on the NHS formulary.

Threadworm

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Vaginal Thrush

16 and over · 3 medicines on the NHS formulary.

Warts and Verrucas

All ages · 2 medicines on the NHS formulary.

If the scheme is not right for you

There is usually another route — these are the most common ones.

Pharmacy First Seven conditions where a pharmacist can supply antibiotics or antivirals without a GP appointment — sore throat, earache, UTI, shingles, sinusitis, impetigo and infected insect bites. Check your symptoms → Repeat prescriptions If your medicine is already on prescription, order it here and we deliver free across West Bromwich. Order a repeat → Buy over the counter Not eligible, or reached your six for the year? The same medicines are in our shop — and our pharmacist’s advice is free either way. Visit the shop → Flu & Covid vaccinations Free on the NHS for eligible patients, or privately from £30. Appointments from 1 October. Book online → Blister packs If keeping track of medicines is the real problem, weekly trays sorted by day and time often help more than another medicine. How they work → Health guides Plain-English guides to the conditions above — what helps, what does not, and when to get seen. Read the guides →

Not sure if you qualify?

Give us a call — our pharmacist will be happy to advise.

Call your local branch

Am I eligible?

Registered with a GP practice in the Black Country — Sandwell, Dudley, Walsall or Wolverhampton

Condition must be one of those listed

Must be requesting for yourself or a child in your care

Some items have age restrictions — our pharmacist will advise

Exemption from prescription charges (e.g. under 16, over 60, pregnant, certain medical conditions)

How to get treatment

Simply call us or request a callback. No appointment needed. Our pharmacist will ask a few questions to ensure the treatment is right for you.

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