Help us help you – choosing the right service

Choosing the Right Service 

To help you to choose well, please find below a list of NHS services available to you and some examples of when it is appropriate to use these services.

Help us help you – choosing the right service

Self-care

For common ailments and illnesses, such as:

  • Hangover
  • Grazed knee
  • Sore throat
  • Cough

A lot of illnesses can be treated at home with medicines and by getting plenty of rest. Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.

If you are unsure about weather your illness requires self-care, please contact NHS 111.

 

NHS 111

Need help fast and it’s not an emergency?

Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, or even a GP, and can arrange a face-to-face appointment if they think you need one. They can also assess if you need an ambulance and send one immediately if necessary.

The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To get in touch, visit NHS 111 or if the person who needs help is under the age of five, please call NHS 111 - it is free from mobiles and landlines.

 

Pharmacy

Pharmacists are often not the first place you think of to go to for medical support, however, they have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional. All pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines. They are also trained in managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment. Many pharmacies also have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

If you are feeling poorly and need advice about any of the below, a pharmacy can help you with:

  • Fevers
  • Stomach upset
  • Aches and pains
  • Headaches

To find your nearest pharmacy and opening times, visit the 'find a pharmacy' webpage.

 

GP Surgery

For symptoms that don’t go away, such as:

  • Ear pain
  • Back pain
  • Stomach pain

To find your nearest GP surgery and opening times, visit the 'search for a GP' webpage.

If you struggle to make a GP appointment during workin hours, you can get evening and weekend appointments with a GP, nurse of healthcare professional by visiting the 'GP appointments and booking' webpage.

 

Urgent Treatment Centre 

When it’s urgent but not life threatening, such as:

  • Sprains
  • Fractures
  • Broken bones (X-ray service available)
  • Minor burns or scalds
  • Skin infection or animal bites
  • Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness
  • Eye infections or minor eye injuries

The Nottingham Urgent Treatment Centre is located at:

London Road Nottingham NG2 4LA

This is a walk-in service, open between 7am and 9pm, 365 days a year, with no appointment needed. For directions or current waiting times, please contact:

Tel: 0115 883 8500

 

Emergency Department/999

Only in an emergency, such as:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Severe breathing difficulties
  • Heavy bleeding

The Emergency Department is based at:

Queen’s Medical Centre Derby Road Nottingham NG7 2UH.