Earache Treatment in Medway

What is this service

Earache relief is a free NHS Pharmacy First service available at Chatham Pharmacy for children and young people aged 1 to 17 in Medway, Kent.

Earache is common in children and teenagers, often caused by infection, fluid build-up, or irritation from water exposure. It can be painful and distressing, but most cases are straightforward to treat. Our pharmacists can assess your child's symptoms, identify the cause, and provide fast, effective treatment without needing a GP appointment.

Through the Pharmacy First scheme, we offer expert assessment and treatment tailored to your child's needs. Whether they need pain relief, ear drops, or practical self-care advice, we'll guide you through the best options to get them feeling better quickly.

Our pharmacist was brilliant with my son. He was in pain and anxious, but the team made him feel at ease and sorted it out straight away. No waiting for a GP appointment.

What to expect

Our consultation process is quick, straightforward, and designed to get your child comfortable again.

Book an appointment online or by phone at your convenience. You can also walk in during opening hours. Our team will see you promptly and discuss your child's symptoms in a calm, friendly environment. We'll ask about when the pain started, any recent colds or infections, and whether there's been water exposure.

Our pharmacist will examine the ear (if needed) and establish the cause of the earache. We'll then recommend the most suitable treatment, which might include pain relief, antibiotic or anti-inflammatory ear drops, or simply reassurance and self-care guidance. Most children receive treatment on the same day and can go home with everything they need.

Treatment is collected in-store, and we'll explain exactly how to use any medications. If your child needs ear drops, we'll show you the best technique. You'll also receive written guidance to take home so you can refer to it later.

The pharmacist explained everything clearly and gave us drops that worked within hours. My daughter was back to normal by the next day.

Why choose us

Chatham Pharmacy is your local, trusted healthcare provider in Medway, Kent, offering fast, expert earache treatment without the GP waiting list.

We're part of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, which means earache treatment is completely free for eligible children and young people. You don't need a GP referral, and you won't wait weeks for an appointment. Our experienced pharmacists are trained to diagnose and treat earache confidently, using the same clinical guidelines as GPs.

Being based in Chatham, we understand the health needs of Medway residents. We're conveniently located and open during times that work for working families. Many parents choose us because we're faster than their GP surgery, more accessible, and our team is brilliant with nervous or anxious children. We take time to explain what's happening and make sure both you and your child feel confident about the treatment plan.

We also offer practical support beyond the appointment. If symptoms don't improve, we're here to review and adjust treatment. We can refer you to your GP or A&E if needed, ensuring your child gets the right level of care. Our goal is to get your child out of pain quickly and help prevent earache from happening again.

We've been to Chatham Pharmacy three times now for different things. They're always friendly, professional, and actually listen. Much better than trying to get a GP appointment.