Urgent Care

Is it an Emergency?

Hospital Emergency Departments (A&E) are for people with serious or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate treatment, such as:

If you arrive at an Emergency Department and do not require emergency treatment, you may be referred to your doctor or other health professional. Sometimes, this may mean you have to make another journey to receive treatment.

Where should I go?

Choosing the right service for your needs first time means you will get the best treatment in the quickest time. It also means health care staff can spend their time with the people who need them most.
The list below gives you a guide to which service is right for your needs.

	For a problem like this,	contact this service first, and	find the one nearest to you.
	Hangover. Grazed knee. Sore throat. Cough	Use self-care A lot of illnesses can be treated in your home by using over the counter medicine and getting plenty of rest. Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.
	Unwell? Unsure? Confused? Need advice?	Use NHS Direct Confidential, health advice and information by telephone 24 hours a day. Information is also available on the internet and on digital television.	Call 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk Go to FREEVIEW channel 100
	Diarrhoea Runny nose Painful cough	See a Pharmacist or Chemist Pharmacists are experts in medicines and how they work. They can give you advice on common illnesses and health problems. You do not need to make an appointment and every pharmacist has a private consulting area available. They are also able to carry out a medicines review.	Find more information and a list of all our pharmacies
	Ear pain Stomach bugs Back ache	See a GP Make an appointment at a GP surgery for advice examinations and prescriptions. If you do not have a GP, there are walk-in GP health centres at Weston Hospital and on the Boulevard.	Find more information and a list of all our GP Practices If you need a GP in the evening or at weekends call  0845 121 0235
	Minor injuries: Cuts Sprains Strains Minor burns	Visit a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). Minor Injuries Units treat minor injuries and can give you health advice. Most are open early in the morning until late at night, you do not need an appointment and you will be seen by an experienced nurse or GP.	Find your nearest Minor Injuries Unit via NHS Choices
	Serious or life threatening conditions	Dial 999 or go to a hospital Emergency Department (A&E) Emergency Departments are found at most hospitals. If you telephone 999 and tell the operator that there is a medical emergency, a response vehicle will be sent to your location.	Find your nearest A&E department via NHS Choices

If you are a carer, consider carrying a Carers Emergency Response Card.  In an emergency the carer or someone acting for them calls the emergency response centre where the operator will organise help for the person cared for.