Take a moment to think about which service you need – and see the right person, first time.
Caring for yourself at home
From a grazed knee to a cough or a hangover, lots of illnesses and symptoms can be treated at home with a well-stocked first aid kit.
It’s good to have things like paracetamol or ibuprofen, rehydration sachets for diarrhoea, antacids, plasters, bandages and thermometer. For more information, visit www.nhs.uk.
If you’re struggling or feeling anxious, you can get free online support and counselling at www.qwell.io (age 26+) or www.kooth.com (25 and under), or text Shout on 85258 to use a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service.
Caring for a poorly child? The Little Orange Book offers tips for common health problems in under-fives.
You can also download the NHS app from the App Store or Google Play, and use it to connect with your practice, book appointments and more.
Pharmacists
Your local pharmacist is highly trained and provides free, confidential advice on minor illnesses from sickness and diarrhoea to hay fever. Pharmacies also have a quiet area for consultation if you need to speak to someone in private. Find a pharmacy near you.
For many common illnesses, if the pharmacist feels 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 (you will need to confirm that you are entitled to free prescriptions). Find out more on our Think Pharmacy First page.
GP practices
Your GP practice can help with a wide range of healthcare needs. Some evening and weekend appointments may be available at the practice or elsewhere.
Your practice may need to speak to you by phone first to decide how best to meet your needs. This may or may not include a face to face appointment.
Your practice’s website offers useful information about how to get the help you need. Find a GP practice near you.
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.
To get help from NHS 111, you can:
- Visit www.111.nhs.uk (for age 5+ only). No wait needed when using the online service
- Call 111 (there may be a significant wait for a call back during peak periods)
Urgent Treatment Centres
A GP-led service, for minor injuries and illnesses. Urgent Treatment Centres can assess and treat things like minor burns, infected wounds, sprains, cuts and possible broken bones. No appointment needed, 8am – 10pm daily.
Gateshead Urgent Treatment Centres
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, NE9 6SX
- Blaydon Urgent Treatment Centre, NE21 5NW
Newcastle Urgent Treatment Centres
- Molineux Street, Byker, NE6 1SG
- Ponteland Road Health Centre, NE5 3AE
- Westgate Road, NE4 6BE
From Monday 4 April 2022, our Westgate Road urgent treatment centre (UTC) will be reopening for walk-in patients, with a new time of 8am until 8pm, 7 days a week.
Our Molineux UTC will also be open from the new time of 8am until 8pm, 7 days a week. Our Ponteland Road UTC will remain open from 8am until 10pm, 7 days a week.
Both centres offer urgent treatment for minor injuries and ailments for both children and adults. Please wear a mask to help keep everyone safe.
Mental health support
The last couple of years have been tough for us all. If you need a helping hand with your mental health, there is a range of services to support you. You can find more details on our mental health services page.
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.