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Written & reviewed by Sukhdip Bahia
Pharmacist, Medway Pharmacy· GPhC registered
Quick answer
Sinusitis causes facial pain, nasal congestion, and a thick discharge from the nose. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, our pharmacists at Medway Pharmacy in Gillingham can assess adults and children aged 12 and over, and supply a nasal corticosteroid or antibiotics such as phenoxymethylpenicillin — completely free, no GP appointment needed.
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses — the air-filled cavities behind your cheeks, forehead, and eyes. It usually follows a cold or upper respiratory infection, and for many people in Medway and Gillingham it means days of facial pressure, blocked nose, and a persistent headache that makes daily life very uncomfortable.
Most cases of sinusitis are viral and clear up on their own within 2–3 weeks. However, when symptoms are severe or persist, bacterial sinusitis may require antibiotic treatment. That is exactly what the NHS Pharmacy First service is designed for: allowing our pharmacist to assess you, make a clinical decision, and supply treatment on the same visit — with no GP referral and no charge to you.
At Medway Pharmacy on Canterbury Street in Gillingham, we see patients under the Pharmacy First sinusitis pathway every week. Our pharmacist Sukhdip Bahia is trained in the NHS clinical pathway and can supply the appropriate medication and safety-net advice during a single confidential consultation.
The Pharmacy First sinusitis pathway covers adults and children aged 12 years and over. It is not suitable for patients who are severely immunosuppressed (for example those on chemotherapy or high-dose systemic steroids), those with known structural abnormalities of the sinuses, or patients with a history of complications such as orbital cellulitis. If you are unsure whether you qualify, simply walk in and our pharmacist will advise you.
Depending on symptom severity and duration, our pharmacist can supply a nasal corticosteroid spray (such as mometasone or fluticasone) to reduce sinus inflammation, or — where a bacterial cause is likely — phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V) as a first-line antibiotic. For patients allergic to penicillin, clarithromycin is the alternative. Analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen are recommended alongside treatment to manage pain and fever. The pharmacist will also give advice on steam inhalation and saline nasal rinses.
Medway Pharmacy is located at 465 Canterbury Street in Gillingham, just a short walk from Gillingham train station and accessible by multiple bus routes through the Medway towns. We are open 7 days a week from 7:30am to 10pm, which means you can walk in before or after work. As one of the busiest Pharmacy First providers in the Medway area, our team has treated hundreds of patients locally for sinusitis and other conditions — saving them a trip to their GP or a long wait at an urgent treatment centre.
Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, often caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service, pharmacists can assess and treat sinusitis in adults and children aged 12 and over without a GP appointment. They can supply a nasal corticosteroid or, where appropriate, antibiotics such as phenoxymethylpenicillin.
Most cases of sinusitis improve on their own within 2–3 weeks. If treated with antibiotics through Pharmacy First, you should see improvement within 7 days. Without antibiotics, the safety net is to return if symptoms have not improved after 3 weeks.
Go to A&E immediately if you develop periorbital oedema (swelling around the eye), double vision, or signs of sepsis such as a high temperature with confusion or very fast breathing.
While Pharmacy First covers many cases of Sinusitis, you should seek further care if:
Choose a convenient time online, or call us if you are not sure whether Pharmacy First covers your symptoms.