What standards you should expect from NHS services
Find out more about your rights and responsibilities as a patient in the NHS Constitution.
Regardless of age, very few people feel well all the time. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can get help when you're ill, or if you just need advice about your health.
Your doctor's practice doesn't always need to be your first point of contact when you feel unwell. There are other services that can help you directly or put your mind at ease.
There are strikes taking place in some parts of the health service. However, it’s really important that if you’re unwell or need urgent or emergency medical care that you still contact the NHS for help.
Visit the NHS website to find out more about the strike action and how it might affect you
NHS 111 is a free national telephone service for people needing medical help or advice in a non-life-threatening situation. The phone line operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Highly trained staff will ask you some questions about your symptoms. Following this, they may tell you how to look after yourself at home, suggest you see a pharmacist or recommend you make a doctor's appointment when the surgery is next open. If the problem is more serious, they may recommend you go to your nearest walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or A&E department. If it's very serious, they'll connect you directly to the ambulance service.
Pharmacists can give expert advice on getting the most from your medicines, either prescribed or over-the-counter. A pharmacist can also help you with minor health problems, such as aches and pains, allergies, sore throats and colds, eye infections, stomach problems and skin conditions.
Many pharmacies in England now offer a pharmacy first service, where a pharmacist can provide you with prescription-only medication for seven common illnesses without you needing to see your doctor first.
The conditions included in the pharmacy service are:
If you don't have to pay for your prescriptions, for example because you're aged 60 or over, you'll still be able to receive the medication for free from this service.
Your General Practitioner (GP) can give you medical advice, treatment and prescribe medication. They might also refer you to other health professionals to do tests, diagnose or treat specific aspects of your condition. For example, they may refer you for a hearing test, to a chiropodist or to your local falls prevention service.
You can register with a GP of your choice but you need to live in their catchment area. They also need to have space for new patient registrations.
You should register with a doctor as soon as you move into a new home even if you don't currently have any health issues.
Often practice nurses, nurse practitioners and specialist nurses work alongside GPs. They can diagnose, treat and manage a range of health conditions. Some nurses who’ve completed additional training can also prescribe certain medications.
These are for patients with non-life-threatening conditions. They can help with minor illnesses and injuries, such as sprains and strains, infections and rashes, minor burns, head and eye injuries, and insect and animal bites.
These centres are open 7 days a week from early morning until late evening. No appointment is needed. They can be located in town centres or hospital grounds and are usually led by experienced nurses or GPs.
If you believe your illness or injury may be life-threatening, seek help by calling 999 or go to your nearest A&E department. A&E departments operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Life-threatening issues include:
Signs of a stroke may be difficult to recognise but the FAST test can help.
Not all hospitals have an A&E department and may have limited urgent and emergency care services available.
Act FAST is a campaign on raising awareness of the signs of a stroke. Professor Yvonne Doyle from Public Health England tells us exactly what to look out for, and what to do if you suspect someone of having a stroke.
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
Find out more about your rights and responsibilities as a patient in the NHS Constitution.
Find out more about some routine health checks that are quick to perform and can help you spot signs of illness.
Find out more about how to prepare for a hospital stay and what you can do to prepare your home for your return.
Find information about the services your GP can offer you and what to do if you're too ill to visit your GP.
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Find out more about NHS continuing healthcare for people who have significant ongoing healthcare needs.