Pharmacies
Beacon View Pharmacy
BEACON VIEW MEDICAL CENTRE, 6 BEACON LOUGH ROAD, Gateshead NE9 6YS
Overview
Beacon View Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located at Beacon View Medical Centre in Gateshead, serving the local population with essential pharmaceutical services. As part of an integrated medical centre, the pharmacy works closely with GPs and other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive medication management and support to patients across the area.
The pharmacy offers a wide range of services typical of modern community pharmacies, including the dispensing of prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice. Staff provide consultations on medication use, potential side effects, and drug interactions. The pharmacy also participates in NHS services such as prescription delivery and repeat medication management, helping patients manage their ongoing health needs conveniently.
Located in the NE9 postcode area of Gateshead, Beacon View Pharmacy serves as an accessible healthcare resource for local residents. Being situated within a medical centre means patients can often obtain both GP care and pharmacy services in one location, promoting coordinated care and improving convenience for the community it serves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Beacon View Pharmacy in Gateshead vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01914 872121 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 Beacon View 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, Beacon View 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 Beacon View 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 Beacon View Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Yes, Beacon View 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 01914 872121 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.
Beacon View Pharmacy can provide travel health advice and some travel vaccinations. Common travel vaccines available at pharmacies include hepatitis A, typhoid, and cholera. Other vaccinations such as yellow fever require a specialist travel clinic. Book a travel health consultation at least 6-8 weeks before your trip by calling 01914 872121. Some travel vaccines carry a charge as they are not available on the NHS.
If Beacon View 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.
Yes, emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) is available from Beacon View 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Beacon View 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.
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.
Beacon View 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 01914 872121 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, Beacon View Pharmacy offers Medicine Use Reviews (MURs) and the New Medicine Service (NMS) to help you get the most from your medicines. These free NHS consultations help you understand what your medicines are for, how to take them correctly, identify side effects, and resolve any problems. Ask the pharmacist if you take multiple medications or have recently started a new medicine.
Yes, Beacon View Pharmacy can manage your repeat prescriptions for you. The pharmacy contacts your GP surgery on your behalf to order your regular medicines, so they are ready for you to collect without having to request them yourself each time. Ask about the Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service, which allows your GP to authorise repeats for up to 12 months.
Yes, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to Beacon View 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).