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.
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 give your local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Community pharmacists can provide lots of advice about self-care and over the counter medications to treat minor ailments. Pharmacists can also see patients for many common health conditions (sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women aged 16-64 years). They may also be able to provide blood pressure checks and contraception services.
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.
NHS 111 can now be reached online or via telephone. You can access NHS 111 online at www.111.nhs.uk on a tablet, laptop or mobile, or via the NHS app. NHS 111 will offer advice if you are unsure of where the best place is for your care. This could be an out of hours GP, a pharmacy or an urgent treatment centre. If you are away from home, it will direct you to the most appropriate local service.
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
Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
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. 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.