Pharmacies
North Walsham Pharmacy
BIRCHWOOD MEDICAL PRACTICE, PARK LANE, North Walsham NR28 0BQ
Overview
North Walsham Pharmacy is a community pharmacy located at Birchwood Medical Practice on Park Lane in North Walsham, Norfolk. As part of an integrated medical practice setting, the pharmacy provides essential pharmaceutical services to local residents and patients attending the medical centre.
The pharmacy offers a range of services typical of community pharmacies, including prescription dispensing, over-the-counter medications, and health advice from qualified pharmacists. Patients can obtain prescribed medications, seek guidance on medication use, and access various health and wellness services. Being co-located with a GP practice allows for seamless coordination of care between healthcare professionals.
The pharmacy serves the North Walsham community and surrounding areas in Norfolk, providing convenient access to pharmaceutical services alongside general practice care. It operates within NHS and community pharmacy regulations, ensuring high standards of patient care and medication safety. The location at a medical practice makes it accessible for patients who may be visiting their GP or managing ongoing health conditions requiring medication support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening hours at North Walsham Pharmacy in North Walsham vary — most pharmacies are open Monday to Saturday, with some offering Sunday and bank holiday hours. Contact 01692 400921 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 North Walsham 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, North Walsham 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 North Walsham 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 North Walsham Pharmacy about setting up a nominated representative.
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, North Walsham 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.
North Walsham 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 01692 400921 to find out if COVID-19 vaccinations are currently available at this pharmacy and whether you are eligible.
Yes, North Walsham Pharmacy has a private consultation room where you can speak to the pharmacist confidentially about your health, medicines, or any sensitive issues. All NHS pharmacy services including Pharmacy First consultations, medicine reviews, and vaccination appointments take place in the private room. Ask at the counter if you would like a private consultation.
Yes, pharmacists at North Walsham 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, North Walsham 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.
Pharmacy First is an NHS service that allows pharmacists at North Walsham 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.
North Walsham Pharmacy aims to be accessible to all customers. Contact 01692 400921 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.
Yes, you can return unwanted, expired, or unused medicines to North Walsham 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).
Yes, North Walsham 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 01692 400921 to arrange. If your blood pressure is raised, the pharmacist will advise on next steps and may refer you to your GP.