High street pharmacists have delivered 1.5 million consultations for minor illness referrals and 1.4 million consultations for urgent medicine supplies, in a move to bring care closer to people’s homes.

In total, more than five million people have received help from high street pharmacies for minor illness, with 2.4 million patients booking an appointment at their local pharmacy for seven common illnesses, such as sore throat, earache or shingles.

Pharmacies delivered the most consultations for acute sore throats, and then uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Pharmacists conducting consultations means that people do not need to contact their GP to receive help for common illness, freeing up appointments for those that need them most. This follows an announcement in March that saw the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) agree on £617 million for Community Pharmacy England over two years.

Later this year, pharmacies are also set to start offering women the ‘morning-after pill’ for free.

Dr Amanda Doyle, national director for primary care and community services, said: “The NHS is determined to help make people’s lives easier and that’s why we want to encourage pharmacy use.

“When people are unwell they want quick and easy care and that’s why being blessed tot pop into your pharmacy on a high street on your ay home from work or while you pick up some essentials at the shops is so important.”