Get To Know Where To Go - Choosing Where To Go For Your Healthcare

Using your GP 

You should always contact your GP practice first if your concern is not an emergency. If you cannot get an appointment then call NHS 111 or use your local pharmacy for advice. 

If you need to see a doctor when your GP is closed, then call the out of hours service: – 

BARDOC - on 0161 763 8940 – from 6.30pm to 8.00am weekdays and all weekend.

Using NHS 111

Dial 111 if you need help with a health concern and advice and information on how to manage it. They can also arrange for you to attend an Urgent Treatment Centre at your local hospital if necessary. An urgent treatment centre helps with minor illness and injuries.

Using your local pharmacy

Sometimes there is no need to contact your GP as your local pharmacist can help you with health issues, such as some minor infections, and in some cases issue prescription medicine without seeing a GP. See the following Information:

• Acute earache, for ages 1-17 years
• Impetigo (itchy rash), for ages 1 year and over

• Infected insect bites, for ages 1 year and over

• Shingles, for ages 18 years and over
• Sinusitis (blocked/bunged up nose), for 12 years and over
• Urinary Tract Infections (burning feeling when peeing), for women 16-64 years

For more information about local pharmacy provision - please click here: Local Pharmacy Services

When to use Accident and Emergency (A & E)

Accident and emergency should only be used for life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks, serious road traffic accidents, and if you are having chest pain, shortness of breath, broken limbs, heavy bleeding, suspected stroke. Dial 999 if you need an ambulance. Try your GP, NHS 111 or pharmacist first before attending A & E.

Urgent Dental Care

If you don’t have a regular dentist then the urgent dental care service can help you. This is for emergency dental treatment only. 

Call 0333 332 3800. The service is available from 8am to 10pm every day and is by appointment only. The service is free for children, but there is an NHS charge of £26.80 (exemptions may apply).

For more information about urgent dental care, click here: Urgent Dental Care