Who should I see?

Not all health conditions require a GP appointment. We encourage our patients to see a number of other healthcare professionals so they can receive the help and support they need as quickly as possible.

Hangover, cough, colds, grazes, small cuts, and sore throat

Self-care is the best choice to treat many minor illnesses and injuries.

A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.

The NHS website gives advice on home treatments for common problems (including constipation, headaches, indigestion, back pain and the common cold)

Diarrhoea, earache, painful cough, sticky eye, teething, and rashes

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare individuals who can offer clinical advice and treat a range of symptoms. They can also recommend over-the-counter medicines. This can avoid unnecessary trips to your GP or A&E department, and save time.

Pharmacies across England also offer the free Pharmacy First scheme, which allows them to assess and prescribe NHS medication (including antibiotics and antivirals) for the following conditions:

• Sinusitis (ages 12 and over)
• Sore throat (ages 5 and over)
• Earache (ages 1 to 17)
• Infected insect bites (ages 1 and over)
• Impetigo (ages 1 and over)
• Shingles (ages 18 and over)
• Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16 to 64)

No appointment is needed and most pharmacies have a private consulting area. They can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.

You can also visit a local pharmacy if you need help with things like contraception, inhaler technique, taking a medicine safely, disposing of medication, or understanding the correct dose of a new medicine.

Practice nurses undertake a wide range of duties to support the GPs and minimise their workload.

You can see a Practice Nurse for:

• Monitoring of long term conditions eg. diabetes, asthma, COPD
• Dressings and management of wounds
• Family planning advice
• Routine vaccinations
• Smear tests
• Support in the use of prescribed medicine/devices

111 is the free NHS non-emergency number, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

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
• your usual GP surgery is closed
• you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

Cuts, sprains, strain, bruises, itchy rash, minor burns

Minor Injuries Units, Walk-in Centres and Urgent Care Centres provide non-urgent services for a range of conditions.

South Brent Health Centre does not provide a minor injuries service.

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust services include:

Dartmoor Urgent Treatment Centre, Plymouth is open every day 8am - 8pm, Tel; 01752 438320

Cumberland Urgent Treatment Centre, Plymouth is open every day 8am - 8pm, Tel; 01752 434390

South Hams Hospital Minor Injury Unit is open every day 8:30am - 5:30pm, Tel; 01548 852349

Tavistock Hospital Minor Injury Unit is open every day 8:30am - 5:30pm, Tel; 01822 612233

For information about these services, please click here.

For current wait times, click here.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust services include:

Newton Abbot Urgent Treatment Centre is open every day 8am - 8pm, Tel; 01626 324631 to book an appointment

Totnes Community Hospital Minor Injury Unit is open every day 8am - 5pm, Tel; 01803 862622 to book an appointment

For more information about these services, please click here.

For current wait times, click here.

Severe bleeding, breathing difficulties, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness

A&E and 999 are best used in an emergency, for serious or life-threatening situations.