Should I see a GP?

I need help

Not sure if you need to be seen today, click on the E-Consult button below

Call 111 at any time, 24 hours a day. You will speak to NHS professional staff who will help guide you on any medical issue.  Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobiles.

In a genuine emergency you should call 999.  Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
A Pharmacy can help you for various conditions such as minor cuts, sprains, aches, colds, headaches, rashes, cystitis.  No appointment is necessary, and many pharmacists have a confidential area.  Most are open till late and at weekends.

Your local pharmacy is the place to go to get any prescription medicines and clinical advice for minor health concerns. But they do a lot more than that.

As well as helping with common illnesses – like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains – pharmacy teams can also help with stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, advice on safe sex and emergency contraception.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don’t need an appointment – you can just walk in.
Common ailments
Including:  cough, cold, vomiting, eye infections, teething, migraine, hayfever, insect bites & stings, ear ache, fever, athlete’s foot
Contact your pharmacy first for advice

Children
Children who are unwell
See our paediatric specialist Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Less complex medical needs
Including:  urine infection, rash, in-growing toe nail, stomach aches & pains, fainting, throat infections, chest infections etc
See an Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Health & long term conditions monitoring
Including: blood pressure, height, weight, asthma, diabetes, smears, birth control etc
See a Practice Nurse (or Health Care Assistant for some of these)

Wounds & ear syringing
Including: suture removal, dressings, leg ulcer clinics, ear syringing
See a Practice Nurse or a Health Care Assistant in our Treatment Room

Immunisations & travel injections
See a Practice Nurse (or Health Care Assistant for some of these)

Medication changes and reviews
Speak to our Prescription Clerks who will help, or can direct you to the appropriate person if needed

Housebound Patients
Including:  most blood samples, wound dressing, ear syringing, Dopplers
Contact:  District Nurse Team tel 534323
(part of the Hospital Trust)

Administration & process
Including:  results, sick notes, referral status updates, blood forms, copy records, letters, new patient registration
Speak to our Patient Advisors first

Mouth, gum or dental problems
Including:  referrals and pain relief
Contact your dentist first, then NHS 111

On discharge from the Hospital
Make sure you have been given your results, urgent prescriptions, sick note etc before your leave.
Contact St Mary’s on 524 081

Practical support
Including: mobility concerns, respite care for the carer or patient
Contact Adult Social Care tel:  814980 or Age UK Care Navigator tel:  525282

Mental health
Including:  assessments, low mood, anxiety, bereavement
See a Locum or GP or on-line advice bigwhitewall.com (16 to 24 year olds)

Prescription requests
Must be in writing or on-line via your patient record

Ask a Patient Adviser
About registering for on-line services
High street pharmacists are medicines experts and they can also give advice on common health problems which may save you a trip to your GP practice.  Expert advice on:
Medicines
Bugs and viruses (Nasty coughs and colds and flu)
Aches and pains
Skin conditions and allergies

You don’t need an appointment to see a pharmacists and you can speak in private.

They will advise you if you need to see a GP

I am concerned about my progress

Your body is amazing. You might get poorly, but you have an immune system and you will get better. But it won’t be instant, even if you might already be on treatment.

So how long does it take to get better? You might be surprised to know that for common ailments it takes time:

  • Ear infection – 8 days
  • Common cold – 14 days
  • Flu – 14 days
  • Sinusitis – 18 days
  • Runny or blocked nose – 18 days
  • Cough – 21 days
  • Sore throat – 7 weeks

Your body takes time to fix itself.  Give it a bit of help:  rest, have plenty of fluids, take paracetamol and give it time. If you still have concerns please use e-Consult for help and advice.

If you have underlying health conditions that impact your immunity or recovery, do not wait. Please use E-Consult for help and advice. 

Referral Advice

To help diagnose more complex problems you may need to be referred to specialist clinicians for diagnostic and health services.

If you feel that you need a referral please click on the E-Consult button below.

To track a referral already made click on the electronic referral service button below.

eConsult

Electronic Referral Service

I need a medical report

If you need information from your patient record under the general data protection regulations (GDPR), please login or register for online services to access your full medical record.

If you have a form that requires a GP to complete, please click on the E-Consult button below.

SystmOnline

e-Consult