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.

  • Do you have a minor illness?

    Do you have a minor illness?

    Pharmacists can provide advice and treatment for many common illnesses and minor health concerns, often without an appointment.

    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.

    To find out more about pharmacy, click here.

     

  • Urgent but not life-threatening?

    Urgent but not life-threatening?

    Urgent but not life-threatening? Walk-in centres, Minor Injury Units (MIUs) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) can help with a range of urgent illnesses and injuries, including sprains and strains, suspected broken bones, cuts and wounds, and minor burns.

    Using an urgent care service can help you get the right care more quickly and avoid an unnecessary trip to A&E.

    Services and facilities vary by location, so check before you travel. If you’re not sure where to go, use NHS 111 online or call 111.

    To find out more about urgent care, click here.

  • Do you need urgent dental care?

    Do you 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.

  • Do you have an urgent eye injury or condition?

    Do you have an urgent eye injury or condition?

    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.

  • Do you need urgent mental health support?

    Do you need urgent mental health support?

    If you need urgent help with your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (option 2). Support is available 24 hours a day.

    You can call for yourself or someone else. A trained mental health professional will listen to your concerns and help connect you get the right support.

    If someone’s life is at immediate risk, call 999 or go to A&E.

     

    For more information visit Think Mental Health Services

  • Is it an emergency?

    Is it 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 urgent and emergency healthcare services visit  urgent and emergency healthcare services: locations and opening times.

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