Urgent Care Services

Where should I go for treatment?

At The Independent Pharmacy, we aim to offer safe and effective online healthcare provision for our patients. Although our services can be fast and convenient, there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the medical service you need, whether it is a medical emergency or you have more complex medical needs that may require a face-to-face consultation.

We have assembled a guide to help you find the right healthcare service for your needs.

In a medical emergency, call 999

A medical emergency is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Medical emergencies can include:

• Loss of consciousness
• An acute confused state
• Fits that are not stopping
• Persistent, severe chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe burns or scalds

You can find out more about when to dial 999 in medical emergencies here:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/responding-to-emergencies-FAQ.aspx

If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, it may be quicker to take them to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department.

You can find out more about when to take someone to A&E in medical emergencies here:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/AE.aspx

If a medical emergency is non-life threatening, call 111.

You should 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

You can find out more about when to dial 111 in non-life-threatening medical emergencies here:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx

Non-life-threatening illness or injury

If you have a non-life-threatening illness or injury and you cannot wait to see your GP, you can visit a Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Care Centre.

You can find out more about when to take someone to a Minor Injury Unit here:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/Minorinjuriesunit.aspx

Other non-urgent care options include:

• Visit your GP
• Visit your pharmacist

Sexual health services

Getting tested and treated for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is straightforward and confidential. You can find out more about visiting STI clinics here.

Sexual health clinics don't just diagnose and treat common STIs, they offer a range of services including:

• Advice and information about sexual health
• Free condoms
• Contraception – including emergency contraception, such as the emergency contraceptive pill
• Pregnancy testing
• HIV testing – including rapid tests that give results in about 30 minutes and counselling for people who are HIV-positive
• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) – medication that can help prevent people from developing HIV if they've been exposed to it
• Hepatitis B vaccination
• Advice about abortion
• Help for people who have been sexually assaulted

You can find a local sexual health clinic here.

Other services

For more help, choosing the right healthcare service for your needs, including dentists and opticians, view the following NHS Choices page:

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Pages/NHSServices.aspx