What to do when you need medical assistance and the Practice is closed

Patients may need out-of-hours medical assistance, when the practice is closed. Below is a guide on the range of services available to you should you need to access them.

999

If it’s a life-threatening emergency call 999.

When to call 999 – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to):

• Chest pain.
• Difficulty in breathing.
• Unconsciousness.
• Severe loss of blood.
• Severe burns or scalds.
• Choking.
• Fitting or concussion.
• Drowning.
• Severe allergic reactions.
• Weak and floppy with a rash (especially if child).

Mental Health Crisis

Dependent on the situation.

• HPFT – can be contacted on 0800 6444 101 this is their freephone which patients can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health services.
• If they are seriously ill or injured, dial 999 for the emergency services.

NHS 111

If you need medical help fast but it’s not an emergency call 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk/.

They will provide medical advice and the details of the services closest to you that can address your needs following a medical assessment.

This service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is available by dialling 111 on your mobile or landline, accessing the NHS app on your smartphone or going to https://111.nhs.uk/ on your computer or tablet.

If you are contacting NHS 111 because you need medical help for a child under 5 you should always make a phone call to NHS 111, do not use the online service. For emergency help see above.

Depending on what you need, you might be advised to:

• Call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency.
• Go to an urgent treatment centre (UTC).
• See an evening and weekend GP (out-of-hours GP).
• Book a callback from a nurse.
• Get urgent specialist support, for dental or mental health problems.
• Contact your own GP surgery.
• See a pharmacist for help with a minor illness.
• Look after yourself safely at home.

Normally if you need to go to an urgent treatment centre, see an out of hours GP or get specialist support, this will be arranged by the 111 operator.

If you need to access NHS 111 but have a hearing problem or need another language please click the following link for more detail: https://111.nhs.uk/Help/OtherWays

Emergency prescriptions

Emergency prescriptions – NHS 111

You can get an emergency supply of regularly prescribed medicine from 111 online for someone of any age. This must be a medicine you are prescribed regularly, through a repeat prescription.

Dental problems

Check your dental symptoms – NHS 111

111 online can help with dental problems. This might mean finding a dentist, or an emergency dentist if there is availability in your area.

Advice for parents, young people and pregnant women

Home :: Hertfordshire and West Essex Healthier Together (hwehealthiertogether.nhs.uk)

Visit the Healthier Together website, which has lots of helpful advice.

Urgent Treatment Centres

When to visit an urgent treatment centre (walk-in centre or minor injury unit) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Urgent treatment centres provide medical help when it’s not a life-threatening emergency. They can diagnose and deal with many of the common problems people go to A&E for.

They can help with things like:

• Sprains and strains.
• Suspected broken bones.
• Injuries, cuts and bruises.
• Stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Skin infections and rashes.
• High temperature in children and adults.
• Mental health concerns.

If you need a prescription one can be organised for you. Emergency contraception is also available.

Local urgent care centres include:

• Hemel Hempstead Urgent Treatment Centre
• Wycombe Urgent Treatment Centre
• Luton Town Centre Surgery – Urgent Treatment Centre

Minor injuries units and walk-in centres

These services can help with some of the same problems as urgent treatment centres, but they do not all have the same facilities.

Local Pharmacy

How pharmacies can help – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Help is also available from your local pharmacy as Pharmacists can now prescribe drugs for minor ailments and the seven Pharmacy First issues:

• Earache (aged 1 to 17 years).
• Impetigo (aged 1 year and over).
• Infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over).
• Shingles (aged 18 years and over).
• Sinusitis (aged 12 years and over).
• Sore throat (aged 5 years and over).
• Urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years).

There are local pharmacies open after hours – the nearest to Tring and Berkhamsted is Consult Pharmacy at 170 Tring Road, Aylesbury HP20 1JR 01296 432696. For Markyate patients there are a number of extended hours pharmacies in Luton, including Blenheim Pharmacy open until midnight on weekdays.

You can also search for which pharmacies are open by using this helpful tool Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Extended Access Appointments

Dacorum Extended Access offers a GP Service to patients throughout the weekdays from 16.00 to 21.00, Saturdays from 9:00 to 13.00 and 14:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 09:00 to 13:00.

Appointments must be booked in advance via our Patient Services Team.