Piotr
When I had a bad cold, I called the GP to make an appointment but they had nothing available for two weeks! They told me to visit a local pharmacy or get in touch with NHS 111 service - I got the advice I needed on the same day.
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Scroll down the page to view the next sections: 'I’m not feeling well' and 'I need medication'.
Key information
1. Visit the NHS website for free information and advice on a range of health conditions
2. You can access some medical advice and treatment without seeing a GP (local doctor)
- Local pharmacies - for medicines and advice on minor illnesses
- Family planning and sexual health clinics (contraception) - usually have a drop-in service
- Urgent and emergency care clinics - ‘Accident & Emergency’ department of a local hospital, urgent treatment walk-in clinics
- Dental & eye care clinics - for conditions affecting your teeth/ gums and eyes
3. You should only visit an ‘Accident & Emergency’ department or dial 999 in a medical emergency
A medical emergency is when a life is at risk. This includes:
- Severe chest pain, choking & breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Loss of consciousness
4. Get in touch with the free ‘NHS 111 advice service’ if you’re unsure of where to go
Their service is free of charge and available 24/7 (interpreters are available on request). Trained advisors will ask you about your health problem and advise your next steps, for example, getting medication or going to a walk-in clinic. Get in touch by choosing one of the following options:
5. You can visit your local pharmacy for minor illnesses like colds and allergies
Pharmacists are trained health professionals who help with your medicines and provide advice for minor conditions like aches and pains. You will usually get advice more quickly than waiting to see your GP. They can also help you to decide if you need to see a doctor or other health professional.
6. Use a free navigation app to search for the nearest health services
The quickest way to find your local health services is to use a free navigation app like Google Maps. Enter keywords in the search bar e.g. ‘A&E’, ‘Walk-in’ or ‘Pharmacy’
7. You can buy basic medicines from local shops without seeing a doctor
You will need a prescription from a doctor for stronger medication, such as antibiotics. However, basic medications for common illnesses, such as painkillers and cough syrups can be bought from local stores. Some are open 24 hours a day:
- Convenience shops
- Petrol stations
- Pharmacies
I’m not feeling well
If you’re feeling unwell and the concern is not urgent, your main point of contact is your local doctor (GP). However depending on the need, you can get medical advice and treatment without seeing a GP in:
- Local pharmacies
- Family planning and sexual health clinics
- Urgent and emergency care clinics
- Dental & eye care clinics
Common, non-urgent health scenarios to help you get started
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I have a common illness such as a cough, cold, aches & pains, diarrhoea or headache
- Speak to a pharmacist in a local pharmacy
- Make an appointment with your GP
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I need basic medicine e.g. a painkiller, cold medicine, cough syrup
- Speak to a pharmacist in a local pharmacy
- Visit a convenience store, petrol station or supermarket
- If you need stronger medication that you cannot buy without a prescription, you will need to make an appointment to discuss this with your GP
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I have a health condition and need to speak to a doctor who is a specialist in this area
- Self-refer to a specialist - this is only possible if you need care from a family planning/ sexual health clinic or urgent care/ emergency centre
- Make an appointment with your GP for all other concerns - they will refer you to a specialist if they think you need further assessment and treatment
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I want advice on healthy eating or stopping smoking
- Make an appointment with your GP
- Speak to a pharmacist in a local pharmacy
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I have a problem with my eyesight or eye health
- For non-urgent concerns - make an appointment with an ‘optometrist’ in a local ‘optician/ optometrist’ store - you will usually need to register with them by completing a form on the same day
- For urgent or emergency concerns - visit your local walk-in urgent care clinic or ‘Accident & Emergency’ (A&E) department of a local hospital
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I have a problem with my teeth or gums
- Make an appointment with a dentist (a specialist in teeth and gums) in a local dental surgery - you will usually need to register with them by completing a form on the same day.
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I want advice on family planning / I am concerned about my sexual health
- Visit a local sexual health / family planning clinic - most have a drop-in service. Their services are completely confidential.
- Make an appointment with your GP
- Speak to a pharmacist in a local pharmacy
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I think I’m pregnant
- Visit a local sexual health / family planning clinic - most have a drop-in service. Their services are completely confidential
- Speak to a pharmacist in a local pharmacy
- Make an appointment with your GP as soon as you know you’re pregnant - they will run a pregnancy test and arrange for you to see a midwife (a specialist in pregnancy or childbirth)
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I’m feeling stressed / anxious, not sleeping well or feeling depressed
- Visit your GP - they will assess your concerns and provide advice, prescribe medication or refer you for treatment (e.g. counselling services) to get the care you need
- Call the ‘NHS 111 advice service’ to speak to a professional or visit online here
- Visit the Let’s Talk website - to self-refer to a free talking therapy service for Haringey residents aged 16+
- Get in touch with a free, confidential charity advice service - such as the Samaritans
- Call a local Mental Health service on 0208 702 6700 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) to arrange a visit and assessment
- Visit the Consonant website - to self-refer to a free counselling service (for non-urgent cases)
Help, it’s an emergency!
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A person’s life is at risk
Call the free emergency phone line (999) or visit the ‘Accident & Emergency’ (A&E) department of your local hospital any time of day or night. You should only take this action if there is a medical emergency. This includes:
- Severe chest pain, choking & breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Loss of consciousness
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A life is not at risk but it’s still urgent
Visit a local walk-in or other urgent care clinic for urgent, but non-emergency concerns. This includes:
- Minor head injuries
- Ear and throat infections
- Suspected broken limbs
I need help to decide where to go
If you’re unsure of where to go and it’s not a medical emergency, you can follow one of three options.
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Call or visit your GP reception
They can make an appointment, or direct you to another health service depending on the situation
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Get in touch with the free ‘NHS 111 advice service’
Their service is free of charge and available 24/7. Trained advisors will ask you about your health problem and advise your next steps:
- Visit a local health service - they may make an appointment for you
- Connect you by phone to speak with a nurse or other health professional
- Advise you on self-care, for example, how to get the medication you need
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Visit your local pharmacy
Pharmacists are trained health professionals who help with your medicines and provide advice for minor conditions like aches & pains, colds and mild allergies. They can help you to decide if you need to see a doctor or other health professional.
I need medication
Basic medications such as painkillers and cough syrups can be bought without a doctor’s prescription. If you need stronger medication, you will need to make an appointment to discuss this with your GP.
Where can I get medication?
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With a prescription from a doctor
Take your prescription to a local pharmacy. The pharmacist will prepare and dispense your medication
- You may need to wait for the medication to be prepared (usually no more than 30 mins)
- They will advise you on how to use and store the medication
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Without a prescription from a doctor
You can only buy basic medication such as painkillers and cough syrups without a prescription. These can be bought from local convenience stores and petrol stations, some of which are open day and night. However, the best place to buy basic medication is in a local pharmacy:
- They have the widest selection
- You can speak with a pharmacist, who is trained to help with your medications and advise you on minor health conditions like aches & pains, colds and mild allergies.
Do I need to pay for medication?
Most people pay for medication that has been prescribed by a doctor. The current cost is £9.15 for each item of medication. Read more about reducing your medication costs in the next section, but here are your main options:
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Buy a pre-payment certificate
- Buy a pre-payment certificate for frequent prescriptions online here
- It covers the costs of unlimited items of medication over a 3-month or 12 month period
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Check if you can get discounted or free prescriptions
- Some people get help from the government to cover part or all medication costs.
- Read more in 'Cost of healthcare'.