Hampshire healthtech My Local Surgery looks to connect pharmacies and patients

A newly launched healthtech business led by a trio of South Coast specialists has delivered its first online healthcare consultations.

My Local Surgery, founded by tech and logistics specialist Nav Ramiah, community pharmacist Darren Lingaloo and NHS veteran Dr Adam Kirk, has developed a new digital way for people to access pharmacy services and healthcare consultations.

Building on the new NHS Pharmacy First Scheme, the Fareham-based business provides a digital healthcare hub where people across England can book free video consultations, alongside other clinical services.

Pharmacy First, which enables community pharmacies to provide clinical consultancy and treatment for seven common conditions, was launched by NHS England earlier this year, removing the need for a GP visit for these ailments.

Unlike typical online pharmacy models, My Local Surgery’s services are being delivered by community pharmacies who have clinical capacity to support more patients.

The platform connects pharmacists with patients seeking online appointments for six of the common conditions people can now see a pharmacist about – sore throat, Sinusitis, Impetigo, Shingles, uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections and infected insect bites.

Darren Lingaloo is co-founder and chief pharmacist at My Local Surgery and a graduate of the University of Portsmouth.

He said: “The evolving role of pharmacists is long overdue and has the potential to save millions of GP appointments every year.

“Many pharmacies are now investing in their consulting facilities and staff to deliver more clinical services to patients in their community and support the NHS Pharmacy First initiative.

“Those with additional clinical capacity will also now be able to provide online consultations to patients across England through My Local Surgery.

“The platform digitally connects community pharmacies with patients who are seeking help with the common ailments online.”

Pharmacists from The Village Pharmacy in Stubbington have been the first to deliver online consultations via My Local Surgery.

Darren Lingaloo is leading this clinical launch phase and supporting the rollout to other community pharmacies.

He added: “There’s huge digital demand for Pharmacy First appointments – My Local Surgery reached full capacity during our initial launch phase, and we are now preparing to scale.”

The platform allows registered pharmacists to allocate available time to appointment slots and matches them with patients seeking a digital Pharmacy First consultation. The pharmacist dispenses the medication, which is delivered to the patient via a next day delivery service.

Dr Adam Kirk is the chief medical adviser at My Local Surgery. He completed his PhD at the University of Southampton, and has previously worked for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and as a senior lecturer at the University of Portsmouth.

He said: “It’s designed to simplify access to healthcare.

“For the patient, it delivers a rapid service to treat common conditions. For community pharmacists, it’s providing the opportunity to use their clinical skills to support the growing demand for online consultations.”

As well as providing a secure digital space for NHS Pharmacy First consultations, My Local Surgery will be partnering with nurse prescribers and pharmacists to provide access to private consultations.