Urgent care is for minor injuries or illnesses which need medical attention the same day, but are not serious enough for the Emergency Department. Take time to think about which service you need – see the right person, first time.
Caring for yourself at home
Remember, many minor illnesses can be treated at home with advice from your local pharmacist or a well-stocked first aid kit. Find out more about caring for yourself at home.
Pharmacists
Your local pharmacist is highly trained and provides free, confidential advice on minor illnesses from sickness and diarrhoea to hay fever. Find a pharmacy near you.
For many common illnesses, if they feel you need medicine, they can provide it without you seeing your GP first. If you don’t normally pay for prescriptions, this will be free. Find out more on our Think Pharmacy First page.
GP practices
Your GP practice is the first port of call for most healthcare needs. Find a GP practice near you.
Gateshead Extra Care Service and Newcastle Extended GP Access Service now offer extra appointments with GPs, including evenings and weekends.
Appointments are booked by your GP practice and may also be offered via NHS 111 if assessment of your symptoms suggests this is the best option
for you.
Urgent Treatment Centres
GP-led service, for minor injuries and illnesses – no appointment needed.
8am – 10pm daily.
Gateshead Urgent Treatment Centres
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, NE9 6SX
- Blaydon Urgent Treatment Centre, NE21 5NW
- Find out about waiting times at Gateshead urgent treatment centres.
Newcastle Urgent Treatment Centres
- Westgate Road, NE4 6BE (currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic)
- Molineux Street, Byker, NE6 1SG (currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic)
- Ponteland Road Health Centre, NE5 3AE
NHS 111
If you have an urgent need which is not life-threatening, NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, to assess your symptoms and help you get the right help, first time.
Emergencies
Please keep 999 and the Emergency Departments (A&E) at the Royal Victoria Infirmary (Newcastle) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Gateshead) for serious or life-threatening illness or injuries only. If your health need is not an emergency, you may be referred to a different service on arrival.