Let’s choose well
We know that finding the right place to go when you become ill or are injured can be confusing. By selecting the right service for your illness or injury, you’re not only looking after your health but using your NHS services responsibly and in a way that helps hardworking staff to treat and care for patients appropriately.
By choosing the right service for your illness or injury, you’re not only looking after your health, but using your NHS services responsibly. Let’s Choose Well.
Self Care
Minor ailments should be treated at home
Minor cuts and grazes
Minor bruises
Minor sprains
Coughs and colds
Pharmacy
Local expert advice
Minor illnesses
Headaches
Stomach upsets
Bites and stings
NHS 111
Non – emergency help
Use NHS 111 online if you’re
unsure what service you need
GP Practice
A skilled team of
medical professionals
Lasting symptoms
Chronic pain
Long term conditions
New prescriptions
Urgent Care
Urgent Treatment
Centres
Breaks and sprains
X-rays
Cuts and burns
Fever and rashes
A&E or 999
For emergencies
only
Choking
Chest pain
Blacking out
Serious blood loss
If you can, use online services in the first instance
Mental
Health
For urgent mental health help
Text “SHOUT” to 85258 for free from a UK mobile network or scan the QR code to find a local helpline
Here’s how to access the right care, first time.
| Service | Symptoms | Action to take |
|---|---|---|
| Self-care | Common illnesses | Treat yourself at home with a well-stocked medicines cabinet and first aid kit. Self Care top tips can be found here. |
| Pharmacy | Need advice about a minor ailment, illness or problem such as headache, diarrhoea or infection? | Your local pharmacist can help and give you expert advice. |
| NHS 111 | Feel unwell and don’t know where to go? | Call NHS 111 for expert clinical advice. helping you to choose well. |
| GP services | Need care for an ongoing illness or are you concerned about your health? | Contact your local GP practice. If you need help outside of normal hours, call 111. |
| Urgent care services | Need urgent care for illness or injury that is not serious, life or limb threatening? | NHS 111 will support patients with their symptoms and direct them to a nearby Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Illness Unit if necessary. |
| A&E 999 | For serious injuries or life threatening illnesses | Call 999 or go immediately to A&E. |