Pharmacies
Banks Pharmacy
15 CHURCH ROAD, Southport PR9 8ET
Overview
Banks Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located on Church Road in Southport, Merseyside. As an independent or small chain pharmacy, it provides essential healthcare services to local residents and visitors in this coastal town. The pharmacy is positioned in a convenient high street location, making it accessible to the community it serves.
The pharmacy typically offers a range of services including dispensing prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice. Staff members are trained to provide guidance on minor ailments and can recommend appropriate treatments. Many community pharmacies like Banks also offer services such as prescription collection from GP surgeries, medicines use reviews, and support for managing chronic conditions.
Banks Pharmacy serves as an important part of the local healthcare ecosystem, supporting residents in managing their health and wellbeing. Its central location on Church Road makes it easy for customers to access pharmacy services alongside other local amenities. The pharmacy is committed to providing professional, friendly service to all patients in the Southport community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Banks Pharmacy in Southport vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01704 227075 for current opening times. Many pharmacies open early (8am) and close late (6:30pm or later). Check the NHS website for verified opening hours.
Some medicines require a prescription from your GP or hospital doctor, while many others are available over the counter without a prescription. The pharmacist at Banks Pharmacy can advise you on which medicines are available without a prescription and can recommend suitable treatments for common conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, hay fever, and minor infections.
Yes, Banks Pharmacy offers free NHS flu vaccinations each autumn for eligible patients including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with long-term conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease), carers, and frontline health and social care workers. No appointment is needed at many pharmacies — walk in and ask. The pharmacist can check your eligibility on the spot.
Yes, you can collect a prescription on behalf of someone else from Banks Pharmacy. You will need to know the patient's name and date of birth, and you may be asked to sign for the collection. For controlled drugs, additional identification requirements may apply. If you regularly collect for someone, ask Banks Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, pharmacists at Banks Pharmacy can now prescribe for certain common conditions under the NHS Pharmacy First service. Conditions covered include sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women. This means you can get treatment without seeing a GP. The pharmacist can also supply emergency contraception and some other medicines under Patient Group Directions.
Yes, Banks Pharmacy offers free NHS blood pressure checks for adults aged 40 and over. High blood pressure often has no symptoms but increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. The check takes about 5 minutes — walk in or call 01704 227075 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
If Banks Pharmacy is closed, check the rota for the nearest late-night or duty pharmacy — pharmacies take turns providing out-of-hours cover on evenings, Sundays, and bank holidays. You can find the nearest open pharmacy on the NHS website or by calling NHS 111. In a medical emergency, call 999.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Banks Pharmacy to assess and treat seven common conditions without a GP appointment: sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated UTIs in women. The pharmacist can supply NHS medicines for these conditions free of charge if you are exempt from prescription charges. This saves you waiting for a GP appointment.
Yes, Banks Pharmacy can help you quit smoking with free NHS support including advice from the pharmacist, nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers), a structured stop smoking programme with regular check-ins, and access to prescription-only stop smoking medications via your GP. Evidence shows you are up to 3 times more likely to quit with professional support compared to going it alone.
You may be entitled to free NHS prescriptions if you are aged 60 or over, under 16 (or under 19 in full-time education), pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, have certain medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, etc.), receiving certain benefits (Universal Credit with no earnings, Income Support, etc.), a war pensioner, or hold an HC2 certificate. If you pay for prescriptions, a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) can save money — currently about £30 for 3 months or £108 for 12 months, covering unlimited prescriptions.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Banks Pharmacy without a prescription. It is most effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel (effective up to 72 hours) is available over the counter. Ulipristal acetate (effective up to 120 hours) may also be available. The pharmacist will have a brief confidential consultation. Emergency contraception is free on the NHS for women of all ages from most pharmacies.
Banks Pharmacy may offer COVID-19 vaccinations and booster doses as part of the NHS vaccination programme. Eligibility depends on current NHS guidance. Check the NHS website or call 01704 227075 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to Banks Pharmacy for safe disposal. Do not flush medicines down the toilet or throw them in household waste as they can harm the environment. Simply bring them to the pharmacy and hand them to a member of staff. This includes tablets, liquids, creams, inhalers, and needles/sharps (in a sharps bin).
Banks Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01704 227075 to confirm step-free access, accessible counter heights, and any other adjustments you may need. Under the Equality Act, pharmacies must make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers. A private consultation room is available for confidential discussions.