Get the right care – your guide to NHS urgent care

Knowing where to get the right care can save you and health services time and money. Hospital accident and emergency departments can be extremely busy. There are many other urgent care services in your community that could help. Reduce your waiting time by knowing where to go and preventing being referred here and there until you get the right help. 

Remember, call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life could be at risk.

• Think Pharmacy First You can now get treatment and some prescriptions for several common conditions without going to your GP. So, when you have an earache, painful sinuses, sore throat and other common ailments you’re invited to ‘Think Pharmacy First’. Read more
• Contact your GP Your local GP practice is usually the first place you contact if you have particular concern about your health. You can book an appointment on their website or by phoning them. Care Group supports Tower Hamlets practices by providing our out of hours services. This includes the GP Extended Hours Hubs, where you can get an appointment outside of normal business hours during the week and at weekends.
• Contact 111 If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, make sure you visit NHS 111 online first rather than going straight to A&E. NHS 111 online will help you right away and if needed, a healthcare professional will call you. Visit:  111.nhs.uk If you cannot use the internet, call 111 to get support over the phone. 
• Mental Health support If you or someone you know need urgent help for your, or their, mental health call a local crisis line on 111 as soon as possible. Lines are free and available 24/7 for adults and children and young people. Check out the KeepSafe Connections support guide and find a list of national and local resources available.

You should call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life could be at risk. You should call immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack, stroke or has a major trauma, such as a road traffic accident or has sustained a serious head injury.