We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems. Following clinical triage, if necessary, you will be offered an appointment with the most appropriate member of staff.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
Your pharmacist can help too
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just call your local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Pharmacy Community Consultation Service
The NHS Pharmacy Community Consultation Service allows patients a same day appointment for minor illnesses or an urgent supply of regular medicine, improving access to services and providing a more convenient treatment option for patients.
This service helps alleviate pressures on GP appointments and emergency departments. Should you need to be escalated or referred to an alternative service, the pharmacist can arrange this.
There are a number of Minor Ailments that can be treated by your pharmacist instead of visiting your GP, including:
- Conjunctivitis
- Coldsores
- Fever
- Head Lice
- Scabies
- Vaginal Thrush
- Hayfever
- Constipation
- Fungal Skin Infections
- Acute Pain
- Threadworms
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.