Patient Update
NHS Pharmacy First advanced service
Patients can now access direct help for 7 conditions from local pharmacies. This is a new service and the pharmacist may be able to provide medications as part of the service and save you having to visit the GP.
The conditions that the pharmacy can now help with are:
Clinical pathway |
Age range |
Acute Otitis Media* |
1 to 17 years |
Impetigo |
1 year and over |
Infected insect bites |
1 year and over |
Shingles |
18 years and over |
Sinusitis |
12 years and over |
Sore throat |
5 years and over |
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections |
Women 16-64 years |
* Distance Selling Pharmacies will not complete consultations for Acute Otitis Media.
Shingles Vaccinations
The Shingles Vaccination Programme has changed this year and the programme is split by age:
Patients who turn 65 on or after 1 September 2023
From 1 September 2023, you're eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 65.
You'll be offered 2 doses of the vaccine. These are given between 6 and 12 months apart.
Your GP should contact you to make an appointment to have your shingles vaccine. Contact your GP surgery if you think you're eligible for the shingles vaccine and you've not been contacted about it.
You'll remain eligible until your 80th birthday.
If you turned 65 before 1 September 2023, you'll be eligible for the shingles vaccine when you turn 70.
Patients aged 70 to 79
Everyone aged 70 to 79 is eligible for the shingles vaccine.
Depending on the type of vaccine you have, you'll have either 1 dose or 2 doses (given between 6 and 12 months apart).
Contact your GP surgery if you missed your vaccine. You're eligible up until your 80th birthday.
Patients aged 50 and over with a severely weakened immune system
You're eligible for the shingles vaccine if you're aged 50 or over and you're at higher risk from shingles because you have a severely weakened immune system.
This includes:
- some people with blood cancer (such as leukaemia or lymphoma)
- some people with HIV or AIDS
- some people who've recently had a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or an organ transplant
- people taking certain medicines that severely weaken the immune system
You'll be given 2 doses of the shingles vaccine. These are given between 8 weeks and 6 months apart.
Ask your GP or care team if you're not sure if you're eligible for the shingles vaccine.
There is no scope for the practice to vary these rules and full details are at:
Shingles vaccine - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Physiotherapy Self Referral
Patients can now self refer for Physiotherapy see the link on our On Line Forms page or follow below:
https://sussexmskpartnershipeast.co.uk/gethelp/
Secondary Care Contacts
For all queries regarding outpatient appointments, results, follow up and appointment delays at hospitals please contact the appropriate hospital direct.
If you are unable to contact the relevant department each hospital has a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) specifically to assist patients and their relatives.
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital Trust (MTW)
Patients and relatives are welcome to contact us by telephone on: 01892 632953 or 01622 224960. If there is no-one available to answer your call, please leave a message on our voicemail facility and we will contact you as soon as possible. Alternatively you can email us on mtw-tr.palsoffice@nhs.net.
https://www.mtw.nhs.uk/patients-visitors/talk-to-us/patient-advice-liaison-service-pals/
East Sussex Hospital Trust (ESHT)
Patient advice and liaison service (PALS)
Eastbourne DGH
Level 2 main entrance (turn immediate left on entry, the office is first on the left)
0300 131 4784 or 0300 131 5309
esh-tr.patientexperience@nhs.net
Open to in-person visits:
9am to 3pm – Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays)
https://www.esht.nhs.uk/service/patient-advice-and-liaison-service/
University Hospital; Brighton (BSUH)
Royal Sussex County Hospital, Sussex Eye Hospital and Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
01273 664511
01273 664973
Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00 pm
Princess Royal Hospital
You can call us or ask at the main reception for directions to the office.
01444 448678
Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/support/pals/