Pharmacy First – Sore Throat

Pharmacy First

Written by the Veritas Pharmacy clinical team. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland. Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, registration number 9012617.

A painful, scratchy throat is one of the most common reasons people consider a general practitioner appointment, but it does not have to be. Through the National Health Service Pharmacy First scheme, our pharmacist can assess and treat a sore throat by remote video consultation, at no cost to you, with a secure video link emailed to you around 10 minutes before your appointment.

What causes a sore throat?

A sore throat is a symptom, usually caused by inflammation of the upper part of the throat. The large majority of cases are caused by a virus, in the same way as a cold, and settle by themselves within about a week. Only a minority are due to a bacterial infection, and even then, antibiotics often make only a small difference to how quickly symptoms improve.

Who can be treated for a sore throat through this service?

This service is available to anyone aged 5 and over. Sore throat is assessed and treated entirely through our remote video consultation, so you can be seen from wherever you are.

When to seek help elsewhere. Difficulty swallowing fluids, drooling, difficulty breathing, a muffled voice, or a swelling in the neck or mouth are not assessed through this service. These need prompt attention through emergency care or the National Health Service urgent number, since they can occasionally indicate a more serious complication.

What to expect at your appointment

Your pharmacist asks about your symptoms, including whether you have a fever, how long you have had symptoms, whether your tonsils look swollen or have visible spots or pus, and whether you have other cold-type symptoms such as a cough or blocked nose. Taken together, these details help your pharmacist judge how likely a bacterial cause is, and whether antibiotics are likely to help.

For many people, the most useful treatment is pain relief, adequate fluids, and time, since most sore throats resolve on their own within about a week regardless of the cause. Antibiotics are reserved for people whose combination of symptoms suggests they are more likely to benefit, typically where symptoms are more severe or specific signs are present. You will also be advised to get back in touch if things are not improving as expected, so your treatment can be reviewed.

How to book your sore throat appointment

Booking takes a couple of minutes online. This is a remote video consultation, so there is no need to travel to a clinic. A secure video link is emailed to you around 10 minutes before your appointment time. This service is free on the National Health Service.

Ready to book? Same-day slots are usually available.

Book your sore throat consultation

Or call 0191 503 4053. Address: 113 Chester Road, Sunderland, SR4 7HG.

Frequently asked questions about sore throat treatment

Is this service free?

Yes, this is a National Health Service funded service, free at the point of use.

Who can use this service for a sore throat?

This service is available to anyone aged 5 and over.

Will I definitely be given antibiotics?

Not necessarily. Most sore throats are viral and settle on their own within about a week. Antibiotics are reserved for people whose combination of symptoms suggests a higher likelihood of benefit, and are not needed for most people.

Is this appointment remote, or can I be seen in person?

All National Health Service Pharmacy First appointments at Veritas Pharmacy, including sore throat, are delivered remotely by video consultation. A secure video link is emailed to you around 10 minutes before your appointment.

When should I seek help elsewhere rather than booking this service?

Difficulty swallowing fluids, drooling, difficulty breathing, a muffled voice, or a swelling in the neck or mouth need prompt attention through emergency care or the National Health Service urgent number, rather than this service.

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