Pharmacies in Chichester
Dispensing, health advice and pharmacy services
Chichester has a good number of pharmacies serving the city centre and the surrounding residential areas. The mix includes branches of national chains and independent pharmacies, all providing dispensing services, over-the-counter medicines, health advice and an expanding range of clinical services.
The city centre has several pharmacies on or near the main shopping streets, making it convenient for patients to collect prescriptions while going about their daily business. The supermarket pharmacies on the edge of the city add to the provision, offering extended opening hours that are useful for those who cannot get to a pharmacy during standard working hours.
Dispensing prescriptions is the core function. Most Chichester pharmacies now receive electronic prescriptions directly from GP surgeries, which means patients can nominate their preferred pharmacy and have their prescriptions sent automatically without needing to collect a paper slip from the surgery. This system works well and has reduced waiting times and the risk of lost prescriptions.
Beyond dispensing, pharmacies in Chichester offer an expanding range of services. The NHS Pharmacy First scheme allows pharmacists to assess and treat certain common conditions, such as urinary tract infections, sore throats, earaches and skin infections, without the patient needing to see a GP first. This helps to ease pressure on GP surgeries and provides faster access to treatment for straightforward conditions.
Flu vaccinations and other seasonal immunisations are available at most pharmacies, often without appointment. Blood pressure checks, diabetes screening and other health monitoring services are also offered, particularly by the larger branches. Some pharmacies provide travel health advice and vaccinations for those heading abroad.
The independent pharmacies in Chichester tend to offer a more personalised service, with pharmacists who know their regular customers and can provide tailored advice. These pharmacies sometimes stock a wider range of specialist health products, homeopathic remedies and supplements alongside the standard over-the-counter medicines.
Opening hours vary. The city centre pharmacies typically open from around eight thirty or nine in the morning until six in the evening on weekdays, with shorter hours on Saturdays and limited or no Sunday opening. The supermarket pharmacies offer longer hours, including some Sunday opening, which is useful for weekend prescriptions and urgent needs.
Beyond dispensing, pharmacies in Chichester offer an expanding range of clinical services that reduce pressure on GP surgeries. The NHS Pharmacy First scheme allows pharmacists to assess and treat certain common conditions, such as urinary tract infections, sore throats, earaches and skin infections, without the patient needing to see a GP first. This provides faster access to treatment for straightforward conditions and frees up GP appointments for more complex problems.
Flu vaccinations and other seasonal immunisations are available at most pharmacies, often without appointment. Blood pressure checks, diabetes screening and other health monitoring services are also offered, particularly by the larger branches. Some pharmacies provide travel health advice and vaccinations for those heading abroad on holiday or business.
The independent pharmacies in Chichester tend to offer a more personalised service, with pharmacists who know their regular customers by name and can provide tailored advice based on familiarity with their medical history. These pharmacies sometimes stock a wider range of specialist health products and supplements alongside the standard over-the-counter medicines.
Opening hours vary across the city. The city centre pharmacies typically open from around half past eight or nine in the morning until six in the evening on weekdays, with shorter hours on Saturdays and limited or no Sunday opening. The supermarket pharmacies offer longer hours, including some Sunday opening, which is useful for weekend prescriptions and urgent needs.