Who is the most appropriate professional for your care?
Please consider what the best options for your healthcare are, based on the urgency of your condition and nature of your ailment. General Practice work in conjunction with other Primary Care providers such as Opticians and Pharmacists who can deliver advice and treatment within the Community, so make sure you get to see the right person, at the right time in the right place.
This may save you time in getting the help you need and avoid arranging an unnecessary appointment with your Doctor.
Have you tried self-care?
A range of common illnesses such as cold and flu and minor injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
Examples of the ailments best treated by yourself are:
- Upset stomach
- Grazed knee
- Common cold
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Colds & Flu
There are a wide variety of helpful Self Care information and resources available which could help you to treat your illness without the need for an appointment:
Who do I see?
Provides you with information and supporting links for treatments for some of the most common conditions, services, or most suitable healthcare professional that you should see. ‘Who do I see?’, will signpost you to the most appropriate help and care.
Self-Referral & Self-help
There are a some services you can self refer to, we have produce a list of these to help you.
Get immediate help from your local Pharmacy
Visit a Pharmacy for healthcare advice without an appointment
Your local Pharmacist is able to help with minor cuts, sprains, aches and pains, colds and flu, headaches, rashes, cystitis, emergency contraceptive (most Pharmacies now offer this service) and other common conditions.
No appointment is necessary and your local Pharmacist is usually open late, is available at weekends and many public holidays. It will also save you making an appointment with your GP. Your local community pharmacist is a trained medical professional who can provide free advice on the best treatment for a wide range of illnesses and minor ailments. Information can be located on their website.
Sexual Health Services
One to one Centre
Tel: 0191 297 0441
You can book an appointment in advance or book a consultation on the day.
You can telephone or walk in to discuss the availability. If you choose to walk in to book your slot you can choose to wait in the department or return at your allocated time.
You will need to attend 10 minutes prior to your allocated time to complete a registration form.
This is a free and confidential service open to anyone, providing:
- Contraceptive advice and services including pills, implants and coils
- Checking for infections
- Emergency contraception
- HIV testing
- Cervical smears
- Pregnancy tests
- Pregnancy decision-making/options
- Vasectomy
- Counselling/psychotherapy
- Psychosexual therapy
- Telephone support and advice
- Free condoms
- C-Card scheme
- Screening for Chlamydia
- Outreach team
- Teenage pregnancy support team
- Training, education and health promotion
Pregnancy Test and Decision Making
Help, information and advice about your pregnancy, call the North Tyneside One to One centre on 0191 297 0441 or you can book online.
For information about termination of pregnancy call 0191 203 1242
Eye Problems?
Whatever your eye problem your first port of call should be an optometrist. An optometrist is the best person to assess urgent eye problems, check for eye disorders and treat eye conditions. They have the professional training and necessary equipment to assess most eye problems.
Non-urgent advice: Patient Notice
If your optician is closed and you can’t wait until it reopens, call 111.
If you sustain an eye injury that requires immediate emergency treatment go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.
Dental Emergency
For dental emergencies, call the dentist with whom you are registered. You should receive a recorded message advising you of the arrangements that have been made for emergency cover. If you have not registered with a dentist, please try to do so as soon as possible.
Dentist’s can perform an appropriate assessment and advise on necessary intervention including use of any antibiotics.
Non-urgent advice: Patient Access
If you require emergency treatment, you should contact NHS 111.
Dental emergencies are: acute dental pain, facial or oral swelling, bleeding from the mouth or trauma.
Do you need Social Care and Support
If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
Need to speak with somebody when the surgery is closed?
Call 111
Call 111 when we are closed to speak to an NHS professional on any urgent health or medical issue; calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
If you need an urgent appointment at the weekend please ring: 0191 4862195 to book an appointment in a Hub.
Call 999 (Medical Emergencies)
Medical emergencies can include:
- loss of consciousness
- an acute confused state
- fits that aren’t stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that can’t be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
Non-urgent advice: Patient Notice
It’s important to use A&E only for serious injuries and major emergencies.
Get immediate help for minor injuries
Use your local minor injuries unit if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment.
Children’s Minor Injuries Walk-in Service
At Shiremoor Resource Centre – Open Monday 9am to 6pm, excluding ban holidays. The last patient will be seen at 5:30pm.We provide advice, information and treatment for children and young people aged 16 and under with minor injuries including:
Cuts and grazes, Sprains and strains, bites and stings, skin infections Eye infections.
No Appointment required; call 0191 253 7892
Some examples of problems they deal with:
- sprains and strains
- suspected broken limbs
- minor head injuries
- cuts and grazes
- bites and stings
- minor scalds and burns
- ear and throat infections
- skin infections and rashes
- eye problems
- coughs and colds
- feverish illness in adults
- feverish illness in children
- abdominal pain
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- emergency contraception
Arrange an appointment with our Practice Nurse
The Practice Nurse is usually able to assess the situation and in some cases will organise initial blood tests and other investigations prior to arranging a follow up appointment with your doctor.
The Practice Nurse complements the service that we offer to you, our patients. Please be assured that a doctor’s appointment will always be available should you prefer but you may get an earlier appointment if you opt to consult with the Practice Nurse.
See a Nurse about: blood pressure checks, chest infection, cough and cold, rash, sore throat, urine infection, cervical smears, dressings, family planning advice, contraceptives, minor injuries and ailments, immunisations, diabetes management, asthma care, COPD (heart) care, smoking cessation, free health checks for 40-70 year olds, travel advice, removal of stitches and clips etc.
Need medical advice of treatment from one of our doctors
Some patients, often those with complex and long-standing medical problems, may need an appointment with a doctor.
Know who to turn to for your healthcare
We want to help you get the right medical assistance when you’re ill, injured or have a long term condition. Going directly to the person with the appropriate skills is important. This can help you to a speedier recovery and makes sure all NHS services are run efficiently.
