If your child is aged 1 to 17 and has earache, a pharmacist can see them instead of your GP. Under the NHS Pharmacy First service the pharmacist looks in the ear and offers advice, and medicine if it is right for your child. This consultation has to be in person.
Reviewed by Benjamin Rawthore, Pharmacist Manager and Independent Prescriber (GPhC 2215432). Last reviewed .
Common signs
- Pain inside the ear
- A high temperature
- Rubbing, pulling or tugging at an ear (in younger children)
- Being irritable, or not responding to quiet sounds
- Fluid coming out of the ear
What the pharmacist does
- Looks inside the ear with an otoscope, which is why this cannot be done by video
- Advises on easing the pain, as most ear infections get better on their own within 3 days
- Offers medicine if it is right for your child under the NHS pathway
- Tells you if your child needs to see a GP or someone else, and helps you get there
The consultation is free on the NHS. The usual prescription charges apply to any medicine you are given, unless you get free prescriptions.
Questions people ask
Can adults use this service for earache?
The NHS Pharmacy First earache pathway is for ages 1 to 17. Adults can still ask the pharmacist for advice, and may need to see a GP for treatment.
Do I have to pay?
The consultation is free on the NHS. The usual prescription charges apply to any medicine you are given, unless you get free prescriptions.
Will my GP practice know?
Yes. The pharmacist updates your GP record after the consultation, so your notes stay complete.