Urgent and emergency healthcare

Urgent and emergency healthcare

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In Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, we’re working to make it easier for you to understand where you can go when you or your family have an urgent health need or healthcare emergency. We want you to go to the right place, first time, and for the treatment you receive to be timely and of high quality. We are working to connect services together to fully meet the physical, mental health and social care needs of everyone living in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

When you need urgent healthcare, think NHS 111 first.

If you need urgent healthcare – and it’s not a life-threatening emergency – contact NHS 111. They will assess you and direct you to the best service for your needs. This could be your own GP, a GP service that’s open in the evening and at weekends, or a minor injuries unit.

If you have a minor illness, NHS 111 may advise seeing your local pharmacist. At some pharmacies, NHS 111 will be able to book you an appointment for a pharmacist consultation. NHS 111 can also advise on getting urgent dental care, help for eye conditions or injuries, and urgent mental health support.

Go online at 111.nhs.uk, call 111, or use the NHS app.

Sometimes, if you have a minor illness or condition, NHS 111 may advise you on how to look after yourself at home. Find out more on our page about self-care.

Our emergency departments (EDs) are very busy. Please keep 999 and EDs free for genuine emergencies. Use NHS 111 if you have other urgent care needs – they can direct you to the most appropriate service, where you may have a shorter waiting time.
  • Struggling with a minor illness? Ask your pharmacist

    Struggling with a minor illness? Ask your pharmacist

    Pharmacists are experts in minor illnesses. They can advise on over-the-counter medicines and managing your symptoms. You do not need an appointment, and you will not usually have to wait long.

    If the pharmacist thinks you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional, they will tell you.

    Need a pharmacy that opens late or on a Sunday? Use the quick and easy NHS service finder to check the opening times of a pharmacy near you.

    Visit our community pharmacy page to learn more about what services pharmacies can offer.

  • Find out about our minor injuries units (MIUs)

    Find out about our minor injuries units (MIUs)

    We have four minor injuries units (MIUs) and one walk-in centre in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

    The MIU at County Hospital, Stafford, is for children only. The team there can help with children’s minor wounds, sprains and possible fractures – but they do not treat illnesses or severe injuries. You can find more information in this online leaflet.

    Find information about our MIUs in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

  • Need urgent dental care?

    Need urgent dental care?

    If you need urgent dental care in the evening or at the weekend, and you are registered with a dentist, try their telephone answering service first, as it may have useful advice.

    You could also try the Staffordshire Dental Advice Line on 0300 123 0981. Remember that NHS 111 can also advise on urgent dental care.

  • Eye injuries and conditions

    Eye injuries and conditions

    If you are concerned about an eye problem that develops suddenly, like flashes, floaters or sudden vision loss, the Community Urgent Eyecare Service can help with urgent appointments. If you’re registered with a GP in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire (except East Staffordshire), you can book directly with an optician that offers the service.

    Some practices have appointments in the evenings and at weekends. Use the Primary Eyecare Services practice finder to find services near you. Remember that NHS 111 can also advise on urgent eye care.

  • Mental health support – here when you need us

    Mental health support – here when you need us

    For support in a mental health crisis, day or night, call one of our urgent mental health helplines.

    North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent: call 0800 032 8728 and press option 1. If you cannot phone, you can text the All Age Access Team on 07739 775202 and they will respond as soon as possible (note: this text service is charged at your network provider’s rate).

    For more information, visit North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare’s Crisis Care Centre

    Rest of Staffordshire: call 0808 196 3002. If you cannot phone, you can email the All Age Access Team at mhsi.staffordshire@mpft.nhs.uk and they will respond as soon as possible.

    For more information vist Staffordshire County Council’s mental health and wellbeing page.

  • In an emergency

    In an emergency

    Emergency departments (EDs) or Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments are for severe injuries and life-threatening emergencies. When to call 999 or go to an ED:

    • Signs of a heart attack
    • Signs of a stroke
    • Sudden confusion (for example, not sure of own age or name)
    • Severe difficulty breathing
    • Choking
    • Heavy bleeding
    • Severe injuries
    • Seizure
    • Sudden, rapid swelling of lips, mouth, tongue or throat
    • Suicide attempt (by taking something or self-harming).

    British Sign Language (BSL) speakers can make a BSL video call to 999.

    Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.

For more information about our minor injury units in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, visit urgent and emergency healthcare services: locations and opening times.

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To learn more, please email ssotics.comms@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk