Who Can Help?

Pharmfirst
PharmacyFirst

Pharmacy First

A number of minor ailments can be treated at your local Pharmacy through the Pharmacy First Scheme.

This includes:

  • UTI's- antibiotics can be issued through your pharmacy without seeing a GP
  • Thrush
  • Scabies
  • Threadworms
  • Other minor ailments

 

Contact your local pharmacy for more information.

Eyes

NIPEARS

The Northern Ireland Primary Eyesore Assessment and Referral Service (NIPEARS) is a service provided by most optometry practices in NI for patients who have developed a sudden eye problem within the previous 14 days such as:

  • red eyes
  • pain in/around the eyes
  • sudden visual loss/disturbance
  • recent onset or sudden increase in flashes/floaters in the eyes
  • foreign body in the eye

The service is only available to patients who are registered with a GP practice in Northern Ireland and are 5 years or over.

xray

Minor Injuries service/ Phone First

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has a 'Phone First' service for patients with minor injuries who are considering going to the Emergency Department. Patients should call:

02896159444

You will be assessed over the phone before being advised on the next steps. The Phone First service operates 8am-6pm Monday to Friday excluding bank holidays.

For more information see:

Phone First | Belfast Health & Social Care Trust 

Lagan Valley also operates an Urgent Care Centre which is available 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and is a phone-first Service. For Lagan Valley Urgent Care call 

02892604643

You will be assessed over the phone before being advised on the next steps.

For more information see:

Urgent Care Centre - Lagan Valley Hospital - South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust

Page last reviewed: 21 August 2025
Page created: 12 August 2025