We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Our receptionists can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first. Find out more about treatments for common minor ailments.
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.
Community Pharmacy
Did you know your pharmacist can give you expert advice on treating minor illnesses or injuries? So, if you find yourself with a sore throat or your little one is teething, your community pharmacy can see you without an appointment and recommend over-the-counter medicines. They can also prescribe medicines for some minor conditions too:
- acute sore throat (5 years+)
- coughs and colds
- tummy upsets
- earache (1-17 years)
- skin rashes (including shingles for adults and impetigo for 1 year+)
- sinusitis (12 years+)
- urinary tract infections (females, 16-64yrs, no UTI in last 3 months, not pregnant or breastfeeding, not immunocompromised)
- emergency contraception
- medication queries
Most pharmacies will have a consultation room so you can talk to them in private. If they cannot treat the issue, they can direct you to another service that can help. Information from your consultation with the pharmacist will be sent to your GP practice.
If you are away from home, you can use the NHS website to find a pharmacy open near you:
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/
Please see the below video which covers the ways the Pharmacy First service may be able to help you.
NHS 111
Not sure which NHS service you need? When you use the right NHS service, you get the right treatment sooner. If you’re not sure what to do or where to go, go to 111.nhs.uk.
NHS 111 is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
If you do not have internet access, you can call 111.
If you have a hearing problem, use text relay. Call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app or a text phone.
NHS 111 also offers a British Sign Language service here. If there is a medical emergency, always dial 999.
Out of Hours GP Service
The GP out-of-hours service is there if you need urgent medical care when your GP practice is closed. For details on how to access the service, call the practice and listen to the recorded message. Alternatively, you can contact 111 to access this service.
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.
Minor Eye Conditions Service
If you have a recent problem with your eyes, such as sore eyes, red eyes or visual disturbance, you can be assessed and treated by the local Minor Eye Conditions Service. This is a free NHS service available at many local opticians for people who are registered with a local GP. You do not need a GP referral to use this service. It is available for adults and children; children under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Please use the link below to find a clinic near you and please telephone the clinic first to book an appointment.
https://primaryeyecare.co.uk/services/minor-eye-conditions-service/
Mental Health Support
If you are concerned about your mental health, or feeling as though you are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help, Greater Manchester Mental Health have a 24/7 phone line – 0800 953 0285 which is free of charge. You can also use this service if you are concerned about someone you know.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 999 or attend your nearest emergency department.
If you feel like you need to talk to someone, any time of day or night, you can contact the below free listening services:
- call Samaritans on 116 123
- text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 or text ‘YM’ if you’re under the age of 19
- if you are under 19, you can call Childline on 0800 1111 and the number will not show on your phone bill
Please see the below link for more information on urgent help for mental health:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
Emergency Dentist
If you don’t have a dentist or you dentist is closed and you need urgent treatment for your teeth, you can contact the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800, which is open every day 8am-10pm. There is an NHS patient charge of £26.80 for an appointment but it is free for children. You can use this service if you have severe swelling and pain that is getting worse, dental trauma (e.g. loss of tooth), severe lockjaw or dental injuries/illnesses that will exacerbate a long term condition such as diabetes.
