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Members of the public have been recruited as Pharmacy First ambassadors as part of a summer campaign to raise awareness of what the Pharmacy First service can offer.
In a press release published on 14 July 2026, One Devon — a collaboration between NHS Devon and local councils — said that the ambassadors “will reflect the diversity of life by sharing their own voices and experiences”.
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly and NHS Devon will run the initiative, it added.
The press release noted that the Pharmacy First ambassadors will play an important role in encouraging patients to choose Pharmacy First for common health issues and “ensure the message reaches every corner of the region”.
One of the ambassadors, Nigel Taylor, a fisherman, said: “I’m proud to be a Pharmacy First ambassador. Busy days at sea can mean making time to see my own GP is difficult, so knowing I can visit my local pharmacist for help with common conditions is invaluable.”
Pharmacy First launched in England in January 2024 and covers seven common conditions: earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections.
As part of a survey, conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and published on 16 July 2026, the ONS surveyed 98,776 patients between 26 May 2026 and 17 June 2026 in order to gauge patient experiences related to access to healthcare in England.
The survey results revealed that during that time period, 1.6% (n=1,580) of respondents used the Pharmacy First service, while 2.3% (n= 2,272) of respondents accessed the service in the most deprived areas.
Of the 1,374 respondents in the NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board (ICB) area, the ONS found that 2.2% (n=30) had used Pharmacy First during the survey period, while of 2,565 respondents in the NHS Devon ICB area, just 0.6% (n=15) said they’d used the service.
Suzie Smith, campaigns and media manager for NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly ICB, said: “Pharmacy First ambassadors are helping to raise awareness of the service by sharing their own experiences and acting as trusted voices within their communities.
“By representing a diverse range of local groups, including farming communities, the LGBTQ+ community, families and older residents, ambassadors can help people see that Pharmacy First is a service for everyone.”
Under the ‘Community pharmacy contractual framework’ for 2026/20267, from autumn 2026, community pharmacist prescribers will be able to provide up to five new Pharmacy First prescribing-only pathways, which have not yet been announced and will be approved by a clinical reference group before roll-out.
