NHS Information

NHS - National Health Service.
GP

First of all you need to register with a General Practitioner (GP) at a Health Centre or Surgery.

GPs look after the health of people in their local community and deal with a wide range of health problems. If a GP cannot deal with your problem, you will be referred to a hospital for tests, treatment or to see a specialist.

Your local doctor’s surgery (or GP practice) provides a wide range of family health services, including:

• advice on health problems
• vaccinations
• examinations and treatment
• prescriptions of medicines
• referrals to other health services and social services

If you need to find local surgery, please contact the NHS direct 08454647 or NHS Direct. Also you can visit your nearest surgery and ask for information.

When you register with a GP you will be asked to fill in an application form. Later you will receive your NHS Medical Card, which proves your entitlement to NHS treatment.

Dentists

Dentist mainly work in dental practices and provide check-ups and treatments such as fillings, extractions, fitting bridges and dentures, as well as scaling and polishing.

Dental practices can take private and NHS patients – with most practices taking a mixture of both.

For emergency dental treatment contact the Dental Access Line on NHS Direct 08454547 were you will reveive guidance.

You will need to pay for NHS and private dental treatment unless you are under a certain age or receiving Social Security benefits.

Pharmacists

They dispense prescriptions and can advise on a range of ailments such as minor injuries, skin conditions and allergies. They can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor. You can talk to your pharmacists in confidence and you don’t need to make an appointment.

Opticians

Carrying out eye and sight examinations, prescribing and fitting spectacles.

NHS Direct

24-hour confidential nurse-led health advice over the phone.

You can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 (or in South Lincolnshire 0845 0450281) for confidential health advice and information 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. The lines are staffed by nurses and professional advisors.

NHS Direct has become a trusted first point of contact for patients seeking medical help both inside and outside normal GP surgery hours. NHS Direct can offer you information on:

• What to do if you or a family member feels ill
• Self care for particular health conditions such as coughs and scalds
• Local health services, such as doctors, dentists or out-of-hours pharmacies
• Self-help or support organisations.

They can help you decide if you need to see a doctor and help reduce the worry of being ill or caring for someone else who is unwell.

Emergency care

Known as Accident and Emergency (A&E) – is when patients attend hospital as a result of an accident or trauma and require emergency treatment. Some patients will come to A&E themselves and others will arrive in an ambulance.

Call 999 for an ambulance if it is an emergency.