NHS Pharmacy First assessment and treatment for acute sinusitis and facial pain. Face-to-face consultation with prescription treatments if clinically needed.
Sinusitis is inflammation of the air-filled cavities (sinuses) in your face, typically developing after a common cold or flu virus. Symptoms include facial pain, swelling and pressure around the cheeks, eyes or forehead, a blocked or runny nose with green or yellow mucus, reduced sense of smell, sinus headache, toothache, and a high temperature. Under the NHS Pharmacy First clinical pathway, our accredited clinical pharmacist conducts a private face-to-face consultation to examine your symptoms. Most cases of acute sinusitis are viral and resolve within 2 to 3 weeks without antibiotics. Your pharmacist will assess whether your condition is uncomplicated viral, prolonged post-viral, or suggestive of acute bacterial sinusitis (such as symptoms persisting without improvement for 10 or more days, or a 'double-sickening' worsening after initial mild improvement). If clinically indicated under the national NHS protocol, your pharmacist can prescribe high-dose steroid nasal sprays to reduce sinus inflammation or, where strict criteria are met, targeted antibiotics. They will also provide self-care advice including nasal saline irrigation, steam inhalation, and pain relief.
Your consultation is carried out in a soundproof, private consultation suite by a qualified healthcare professional.
Your consultation begins in a soundproof, private clinic room inside the pharmacy. Your pharmacist reviews your symptom history, existing medications, and individual requirements.
Your clinician carries out diagnostic checks or vital signs triage tailored to Acute Sinusitis in line with UK clinical standards and NICE protocols.
If clinically appropriate under the NHS specification, treatments or prescription medicines are dispensed directly at the pharmacy counter.
You will receive comprehensive instructions on recovery, expected timelines, and when to seek medical advice. An electronic clinical notification is shared with your registered NHS GP practice.
If symptoms persist, fail to improve within the expected timeframe, or if regular monitoring is required, book a follow-up consultation with your pharmacy team or contact your GP.
This consultation is delivered under an NHS commissioning framework. It is free for qualifying patients meeting national clinical eligibility criteria. It is not an unrestricted free service for all conditions or non-qualifying demographics.
No consultation fee is charged for qualifying NHS patients. Standard NHS prescription exemption rules apply if medications are dispensed.
NEW VALLEY ROAD, EXWICK EX4 2AD, EXETER • EX4 2AD
197-199 ROMAN ROAD, LONDON, BETHNAL GREEN, E2 0QY, LONDON • E2 0QY
418 WHITMORE WAY, BASILDON • SS14 2HB
10 derwent parade, South ockendon • RM155EE
THE CROSS, EASTRY, SANDWICH • CT13 0HG
625-627 ROMAN ROAD, LONDON • E3 2RN
85-87 HIGH STREET, RUSHDEN • NN10 0NZ
2 TADWORTH PARADE, ELM PARK, HORNCHURCH • RM12 5AS
Follow these simple steps before attending the clinic:
Clinical advice for ongoing recovery and support:
Clinical guidance on consultations, eligibility, and prescription dispensing.
NextDoorClinic content is developed in collaboration with registered UK pharmacy prescribers and based on evidence-based UK clinical commissioning standards and clinical practice guidance:
