Patients with conditions such as ear and throat infections, or in need of contraception or delaying their period, will be able to have a consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber, the multiple announced on Monday (December 16).

Following the consultation the pharmacist will, if needed, be able to prescribe “appropriate prescription-only medicines,” a Boots spokesperson said.

It is not yet clear how many branches are participating in the pilot, and the health and beauty giant has not provided an opening date for the clinics.

However, Boots added that the service will be “particularly useful during the busy Christmas and winter season, when patients may need to access a medical professional at a time and place that is convenient to them”.

In January, Boots launched a private urinary tract infection (UTI) test and treat service in 37 pharmacies in London, Sheffield and Cardiff.

The multiple also announced in September that it would trial GP video consultations in a branch in Woking, Surrey, as part of an NHS service. It has since launched a private version of the service in its London Liverpool Street branch.