Non-urgent advice: 111
The out of hours period is from 6:30pm to 8am Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on Bank Holidays. Outside of normal surgery hours please dial 111 to access the out of hours GP service. 111 is the NHS non-emergency number. You can also find advice at 111.nhs.uk.
Call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. This might be advice, a prescription from a late opening chemist, an appointment with your GP, a community nurse or A&E, as well as many other options.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year so are fantastic to use outside of surgery hours if you cannot wait for an appointment. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
If you have COVID symptoms and are worried, you must not attend your surgery, pharmacy or hospital unless directed to do so. Visit 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
A&E departments assess and treat patients with serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
If an ambulance is needed, call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the ambulance number throughout the European Union.
Major A&E departments offer access 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, although not all hospitals have an A&E department. At A&E a doctor or nurse will assess your condition and decide on further action. There are over 21 million attendances at accident and emergency (A&E) departments each year.
If it is not an immediate emergency call NHS 111. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can provide medical advice and advise you on the best local service to offer the care you need.
Emergency Dental Treatment
Please phone your dentist who will advise you on out-of-hours care. If you are not registered with an NHS dentist you can attend the following centre in an emergency:
Jubilee Dental Centre, St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester Tel: 01243 831790.
Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 8.30AM – 1.00PM. Monday to Friday 5.30 – 10.00PM.