We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
One benefit of using AskmyGP is that the duty doctor will triage your request to who is most appropriate to deal with it. This means you will speak to/see the best person to deal with your query.
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.
Our GP surgery is also able to refer you to a local pharmacy if they feel your query is able to be dealt with there, this frees up some of their time to deal with more serious illnesses. (Community Pharmacy Consultation Service)
Click here for more information about how pharmacies can help you.
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.
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.
Dental problems
- Out of hours dental care can be accessed by telephoning ‘111’
- To find an NHS dentist either visit NHS choices on www.nhs.uk or call 0800 2792535
Minor injuries unit
- The Minor Injuries Unit at the Princess of Wales hospital in Ely is open 08.30 to 18.00 Mon-Sun.
- Experienced and highly trained nurses can treat a wide range of problems including wounds, minor burns, sprains and strains, limb fractures, emergency contraception, eye problems, ear ache (if over 2 years of age), cystitis (for ladies over 14 years old) and minor head injuries.
- It is an excellent service which usually has a waiting time considerably shorter than local A&E departments.
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.
