Services

Pharmacy First Service

The Pharmacy First Service replaced the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service in January 2024. As well as minor illnesses, if you have symptoms with any of the common conditions below, you can be referred to your local phamacist for an appointment the same day. The Surgery can refer you to the Pharmacy or you contact the Pharmacy directly. 

 

  • Sinusitis (12 years and over)
  • Sore throat (5 years and over)
  • Acute otitis media (1 to 17 years)
  • Infected insect bite (1 year and over)
  • Impetigo (1 year and over)
  • Shingles (18 years and over)
  • Uncomplicated UTI (Women 16 to 64 years)

 

Weight Loss Injection

MOUNJARO 

 
WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION (Mounjaro) is currently NOT available for NHS prescription in Heywood/ Greater Manchester.
 
 
We are receiving many requests to prescribe weight loss injections (Mounjaro) or similar. Greater Manchester ICB (the organisation responsible for overseeing NHS funding for practices in Heywood) has issued instructions that this medication cannot be prescribed for weight loss. The website link below gives more information.

 
 
We understand this may be frustrating for many patients, but please note that booking an appointment to speak about this will not change the outcome.
 
The decision not to prescribe is NOT taken by the GPs / practitioners at the surgery - they have to follow the guidelines in place.
 
There are a number of our patients receiving Mounjaro (or similar) for their diabetes management - this is allowed on the NHS and will continue.
 
We also recognise that some patients are accessing prescriptions from private pharmacies or online providers. Please ensure you let your private provider know about any other medications you are taking.
 

Contraception/HRT information

Women taking GLP-1 agonists (e.g. Mounjaro) for weight loss and diabetes, are being reminded to use effective contraception while taking these medicines. If you are using the oral contraceptive pill, it is advised to use a non-oral form of contraception or barrier method (e.g. condoms) for four weeks after initiation and each dosage increase to avoid unwanted pregnancy. This is because Mounjaro can reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives.

If you're taking oral progestogen as part of your HRT and are using a GLP-1, it could reduce your HRT’s effectiveness in protecting your endometrium (womb lining). Please contact the Surgery for a review a HRT review as your dosage may need to be increased or changed to a different form of medication.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/women-on-skinny-jabs-must-use-effective-contraception-mhra-urges-in-latest-guidance

Page last reviewed: 12 September 2025
Page created: 02 August 2023