Other health services available to you.
The NHS.uk website is a quick, easy and convenient way for you to get expert advice on hundreds of health issues at the click of a button. The website contains a huge range of information and advice for the whole family.
The Health A-Z is very useful as it provides lots of helpful information about symptoms and treatments for hundreds of health conditions. Whilst there you can also find lots of handy tools like the online symptom checker.
It’s a great resource to use if you need advice about everyday health issues. You can also use the website to find local services and find out about living healthily.
Information from NHS Examine Your Options website
111 is the NHS non-emergency number.
It’s fast, easy and free. Just call 111 and speak to a highly trained advisor, supported by nurses and paramedics. They’ll ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you to a local service that can help you. This could be the GP Out-of-hours service, a late-night pharmacy or an emergency dentist.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
When to use NHS 111?
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice, but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
you think that you might need treatment from an NHS 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
Translation service
There is a confidential interpreter service, which is available in many languages. Simply mention the language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call.
Sign language
The service also offers a video relay service that allows you to make a video call to a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter. The BSL interpreter will call an NHS 111 advisor on your behalf and you’ll be able to have a real-time conversation with the NHS 111 advisor, via the interpreter.
Visit NHS 111 BSL interpreter service for more details and an online user guide.
Textphone
If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can use the NHS 111 service through a textphone by calling 18001 111.
Information from NHS Examine Your Options website
When you need non-emergency medical treatment and it can’t wait until your GP surgery is open, you can still see a local GP.
Call 111, the free NHS non-emergency number, to speak to a trained advisor, supported by health professionals. They’ll ask you about your symptoms, offer advice and direct you to the right medical care, which includes the GP Out-of-hours service if your practice is closed and you need to see a doctor.
The GP Out-of-hours service can offer telephone advice, a same-day appointment in a community centre or a home visit from a local GP if necessary. It’s not for repeat prescriptions however, so try to get these before weekends and bank holidays.
Unfortunately some people still have an out-dated view of the GP out-of-hours service. They’re too polite to use the service because they think they will be getting their doctor out of bed, or they will only be able to see a GP they are unfamiliar with and who isn’t aware of their medical history. This simply isn’t the case, the GP Out-of-hours service is run by local GPs, most of who work in local practices and are ready to help you.How has this NHS service helped people in Liverpool?
Dental problems can be unpleasant and painful if you leave them too long, which is why it is important to see an NHS dentist regularly. They’re here to help you maintain good dental health and also help you if you need any treatment.
Emergency and out-of-hours dental treatment
If you require urgent dental treatment, please contact your usual NHS dental practice as they may be able to see you straight away. If you do not have a regular NHS dentist in the area contact 0161 476 9651 for advice and details of where to go. They may tell you to go to another NHS dentist in your area or local emergency dental services.
Emergency dental treatment will deal with the problem at hand. The NHS.uk website provides the latest costs of emergency dental treatment. Following your treatment you may be advised to make another appointment for a separate course of non-emergency treatment. In this case you will have to pay a second charge.
Just because your GP surgery is closed, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t lots of ways for you to get medical advice and treatment if you need it.
Pharmacies are usually open early in the morning until late at night. Find out the opening hours of your nearest pharmacy here. They can offer expert advice for a range of everyday health problems without an appointment.
NHS.uk contains information about hundreds of health conditions and what you can do to treat them at home. There’s also an easy to use symptom checker if you’re not sure if you need medical treatment.
If you’re concerned about a non-emergency health issue and want to get professional advice fast, the NHS 111 service can offer support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It can also put you in touch with a local GP for telephone advice or a face-to-face appointment if necessary.
NHS Walk-in services are available in some areas. They offer treatment for minor illnesses or injuries and are open early till late throughout the week, without the need for an appointment.