Sinusitis treatment on the NHS Pharmacy First service

What is sinusitis?

Sinusitis is inflammation or infection of the sinuses - the air-filled spaces behind your cheeks, forehead and nose. Most cases follow a cold, are caused by a virus, and settle without antibiotics. Occasionally a bacterial infection develops and may benefit from treatment.

Common symptoms include:

• Facial pain or pressure around the cheeks, forehead or eyes
• A blocked or runny nose with thick, discoloured mucus
• A headache or pressure behind the eyes
• A reduced or lost sense of smell
• Toothache or a feeling of fullness in the ears
• Feeling generally unwell, tired or feverish

Who the sinusitis service is for

Our pharmacist can assess you under NHS Pharmacy First if:

• You are aged 12 or over
• Your symptoms started recently (within the last 10 days)
• Your sinusitis is mild to moderate

Where treatment is not needed, the pharmacist will give you clear self-care advice to help you feel better.

When to seek urgent help instead

Seek urgent help straight away if you have:

• A very high fever
• A severe, one-sided headache
• Swelling around the eye, or changes to your vision
• A stiff neck

These can be signs of a serious complication - call 999 or go to A and E immediately.

How the service works

You do not need a GP referral - just contact us:

• Visit us at 245 High Street, Stratford, London E15 2LS, or call 020 4599 5647
• A GPhC-registered pharmacist will assess your symptoms and check your eligibility
• Where it is clinically appropriate, we supply treatment under NHS arrangements; otherwise we give clear self-care advice
• If the service is not suitable for you, we will refer you to your GP, NHS 111 or urgent care

We aim to review consultations on the same day during opening hours.

Other NHS Pharmacy First conditions

We can also assess and, where appropriate, treat these common conditions under NHS Pharmacy First: