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Need help now?
999 Emergency
Chest pain, struggling to breathe, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding, collapse, or someone seriously ill or injured.
111 Urgent, or we are closed
Need help today and can't reach us, or it's evening, weekend or a bank holiday. Online for age 5 and over; call 111 for under-5s.
Pharmacy First
Pharmacists can treat sore throat, earache, sinusitis, impetigo, infected bites, shingles and urine infections in women, without a GP appointment.
Who do I see?
Type a problem, or choose who you'd like to see. Problems are listed A to Z.
| Problem | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol or drug worries | Self-referral services (opens the NHS website) | Or talk to us |
| Anxiety, low mood, panic attacks | GP, mental health practitioner or NHS Talking Therapies (opens the NHS website) | Crisis: NHS 111, option 2 |
| Athlete's foot, fungal infection, verruca, warts | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | GP if it doesn't clear |
| Back, neck pain or sprains | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Physiotherapy self-referral; GP after 7 days |
| Blood tests, dressings, injections | Practice nurse or HCA | By appointment |
| Cervical screening | Practice nurse | Book online when invited |
| Chest pain, severe breathlessness | 999 / A&E | Don't wait |
| Cold sores, mouth ulcers | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Dentist for tooth problems |
| Constipation, piles, indigestion, wind | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | GP if it lasts more than a week |
| Coughs, colds, flu-like illness | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | See a GP if a cough lasts more than 3 weeks |
| Diabetes, asthma, heart reviews | Practice nurse | By invitation |
| Diarrhoea or vomiting | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | GP if severe or not improving |
| Ear wax | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Ear drops first; then our nurse |
| Earache (age 1–17) | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First |
| Emergency contraception | Pharmacist or sexual health clinic (opens the NHS website) | Or contact us |
| Flu, shingles, pneumonia vaccines | Practice nurse or HCA | We usually invite you |
| Hay fever, allergies, threadworms, head lice | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | |
| Headaches, period problems, tiredness | GP | Use MARA or phone |
| Housing support letters | We don't usually provide these | Shelter can help |
| Impetigo, infected insect bite | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First |
| Insurance reports, letters | Reception or MARA | Fees may apply |
| Medication reviews | Pharmacist or GP | |
| Severe asthma attack | 999 / A&E | |
| Sexually transmitted infections | Sexual health clinic (opens the NHS website) | Or contact us |
| Shingles (age 18+) | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First |
| Sinusitis (age 12+) | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First |
| Sore throat (age 5+) | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First |
| Styes, red or sore eyes | Optician (opens the NHS website) | Sudden loss of vision: A&E |
| Toothache, dental swelling | Dentist (opens the NHS website) | No dentist: call 111 |
| Tummy pain | GP | Severe pain: 111 or 999 |
| Urine infection (women 16–64) | Pharmacist (opens the NHS website) | Pharmacy First; others contact us |
No match. Try another word, ask MARA, or phone us.
Can't see your problem on this list? Check the NHS Health A to Z.
Guidance only. If you're worried, contact us or NHS 111. Find services near you
Mental health support
If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 999. For urgent mental health help, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
Samaritans
Any time, day or night: 116 123
Shout
Text SHOUT to 85258, any time
CALM
For anyone who's struggling: 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight
NHS Talking Therapies
Free talking therapy, such as CBT, for anxiety, low mood and stress. You can refer yourself; you don't need to see a GP first. Find your local service
Papyrus HOPELINE247
For under-35s and worried others: 0800 068 4141
Mind · YoungMinds · Every Mind Matters
Health checks you can do at home
Are you a carer?
If you look after someone, tell us: we can note it on your record, offer flu vaccination and point you to support. NHS support for carers · Carers UK