Pharmacies
Hempstead Pharmacy
148B HEMPSTEAD ROAD, HEMPSTEAD, Gillingham ME7 3QE
Overview
Hempstead Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located on Hempstead Road in Gillingham, serving the local population of this Kent town. Like most high street pharmacies in the UK, it provides essential healthcare services to residents and visitors in the area.
The pharmacy typically offers a range of services including dispensing prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and health advice from qualified pharmacists. Many community pharmacies like Hempstead Pharmacy have expanded their roles in recent years to provide services such as minor ailment consultations, medication reviews, and support for managing long-term health conditions. Staff can advise on common health issues and recommend appropriate treatments.
Hempstead Pharmacy serves as an accessible healthcare resource for local residents, providing convenient access to medicines and professional health guidance without needing a GP appointment for minor concerns. The pharmacy is situated in a residential area of Gillingham, making it a valuable part of the local healthcare infrastructure for the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at Hempstead Pharmacy in Gillingham vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01634 376674 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 Hempstead 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, Hempstead 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 Hempstead 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 Hempstead Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
Hempstead Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01634 376674 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.
If Hempstead 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 Hempstead 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.
Yes, Hempstead 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.
Hempstead Pharmacy may offer a free prescription delivery service for patients who are housebound, elderly, or have difficulty visiting the pharmacy. Contact 01634 376674 to check availability and arrange delivery to your home in the Gillingham area. Some pharmacies use delivery apps or partner with delivery services for same-day delivery.
Hempstead 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 01634 376674 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at Hempstead 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, Hempstead 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.
Yes, Hempstead 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.