NHS 111
Outside of normal surgery hours (between 6:30pm and 8:00am Monday-Friday, weekends and Bank Holidays), you can call 111. This is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call 111 if you need medical help fast but it is not a 999 emergency. A trained advisor will assess your situation and take appropriate action. This could simply be by offering advice or where necessary by making arrangements for you to be seen by a doctor.
Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Accident & Emergency
A&E departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- Loss of consciousness
- Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- Persistent, severe chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding
- Broken bones
Patients who attend A&E for conditions considered to be inappropriate will be redirected to the surgery during opening hours or to the out-of-hours service.