Local health services

Local Points of Contact

There may be occasions where you require medical attention or advice but do not necessarily feel that you need to have an appointment with a GP.

There are a number of local health services that can be helpful at these times.

Pharmacies

As well as dealing with queries regarding your medication and prescription ordering, you can visit your pharmacy for advice on a range of minor illnesses.

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, meaning they can offer clinical advice and suggest over-the-counter medication for such conditions as coughs, colds, sore throats, stomach problems, aches and pains, etc.

Often they will be able to help to resolve simple complaints without the need for a GP appointment. If your pharmacist is not able to diagnose your symptoms or think that your symptoms suggest something more serious, they will direct you to the correct healthcare professional.

Pharmacists can also prescribe emergency supplies of medication, subject to certain conditions.

Find a local pharmacy.

• Sore throats
• Coughs, colds and flu
• Stomach ache
• Aches and pains
• Red eyes
• Problems sleeping
• Infections like athlete’s foot
• Mouth ulcers
• Constipation and diarrhoea
• Giving up smoking
• Drinking less
• Losing weight

Mental Health Services

If you are struggling with mental health problems, we would always suggest that you call and arrange a consultation with a GP to discuss this. However, there are some mental health problems that can be managed without the help of a GP.

The NHS website has a mood assessment quiz which has been designed to better understand how you are feeling and suggest helpful resources. This can be found here: Mood Assessment Quiz

Our local self-referral service is called VitaMinds. You can refer yourself by visiting their website or by calling 0330 094 5535.

Advice on urgent mental health services can be found on the NHS website.

Emergency Services - 999

It may be appropriate in certain cases to call the emergency service (ambulance etc) on 999 instead of, or as well as, the doctor. Such cases would include accidents with possible fractures, head injury with unconsciousness ('knocked out'), sudden collapse with chest pain or paralysis.

Please, however, always be mindful that the emergency services have many demands on their resources and always use 999 responsibly.

NHS 111

The NHS 111 service is available to all of our patients. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones – just dial 111.

When you call 111, a trained adviser will ask you questions to find out what’s wrong, give you medical advice and direct you to someone who can help you, like an out-of-hours doctor or a community nurse. NHS 111 uses Type Talk for people who are hard of hearing, and has interpreters available for callers who do not speak English.

When to use it

You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation. Call 111 if:

• you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency
• you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
• you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
• you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

For less urgent health needs, contact us at the surgery or your local pharmacist in the usual way.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

Accident and Emergency (A&E)

An A&E department deals with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, chest pain, stroke, severe burns or scalds, stroke, major trauma etc.

The closest A&E department is based at the Leicester Royal Infirmary. It is open 24 hours every day for patients to access. No appointment is needed and you will be seen by a nurse or doctor as appropriate.

Leicester Royal Infirmary
Infirmary Square
Leicester
LE1 5WW

Loughborough Urgent Care Centre

Urgent treatment centres should be used if you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Conditions that can be treated at the urgent care centre include sprains and strains, suspected broken limbs, minor head injuries, minor scalds and burns, ear or throat infections, eye problems, high temperature in children and adults, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, etc.

Situated on the Loughborough Hospital site on Epinal Way, the Urgent Care Centre is open 24 hours every day for patients to access. No appointment is needed and you will be seen by a nurse or doctor as appropriate.

Loughborough Urgent Care Centre
Hospital Way
Loughborough
LE11 5JY