Out of Hours Emergencies
In a life-threatening medical emergency you should call 999, irrespective of whether the practice is open or not. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
When the practice is closed, NHS24 provide an out of hours urgent care service which is available at all times. This service is meant for urgent and emergency problems and should not be used to avoid the inconvenience of consulting during the day. If you need out of hours help, you should telephone NHS24 on 111 which is a free-phone number nationwide. Trained staff located at the call control centre will handle your enquiry.
NHS 24 can provide the same service to deaf, hard-of hearing and speech-impaired people as long as they have a text-phone.
If you have a minor ailment you can visit your local pharmacy. Pharmacists can provide advice on how to treat a wide range of conditions, and can prescribe medication where appropriate.
Remember the Out of Hours Service is for urgent problems only. Please do not contact the service for a second opinion or for anything which can wait until the next working day.
Mental Health Crisis?
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you, or someone you know, experiences a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency. These are cases where there is immediate danger to life or physical injury. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself, you should call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.