Who do you go to? Find the right care at the right time
Call 999 if someone is seriously ill
If someone is choking, has bad chest pain, has blacked
out or has severe blood loss, you should call 999. The
telephone operator will give you advice on what to do. They
may arrange an ambulance to assess you and take you to
hospital. A hospital Accident & Emergency department is
open 24 hours a day every day of the year. These can be
accessed without an appointment at any time in case of an
emergency.
NHS 111
You can contact the 24-hour health
advice service by calling 111 or
using 111 online 111.nhs.uk
You can ask for an interpreter by
saying ‘interpreter please’.
Walk-in or Urgent Treatment Centres
These are for non-life threatening issues which are still urgent.
These can include minor injuries like sprains or possible broken bones. It also includes
minor illnesses like stomach pain, rashes, or if you have a high temperature. Go directly to
a walk-in or urgent care centre. You do not need an appointment. These centres are usually
open during the day.
GP
If you are worried about your health or somebody else’s health and the situation is not life-threatening, call
your GP surgery during daytime hours.
Pharmacy
Pharmacists can also help with minor illnesses and ailments. This includes illnesses such as diarrhoea,
a runny nose, painful cough and headaches. You can also buy medicines for minor illnesses at a pharmacy
or supermarket.
Dentist and Opticians – Teeth and eye care
• Find a dentist www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist
• Find an optician www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/opticians
If your tooth is very painful you should call 111 for Urgent Dental Care Services.
There is more information on page 18 about oral health and dentists.