We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Before you book an appointment to see a Doctor please consider whether an appointment with an Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Paramedic Practitioner might be appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our receptionists can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first. Find out more about treatments for common minor ailments.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
Your pharmacist can help too
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just call your local pharmacist a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Click here for more information about how pharmacies can help you.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
Walk-in Centres
Swindon’s walk-in services can offer help for minor injuries and illnesses, such as cuts, sprains, upset stomachs and small burns.
They offer patients an alternative solution to the Emergency Department at the Great Western Hospital, which is intended for patients with life-threatening conditions and serious injuries, such as severe chest pains, broken bones, loss of consciousness and heavy bleeding.
As the name suggests, Swindon’s walk-in centre operates on a drop-in basis which mean patients do not need an appointment to be seen.
Urgent Care Centre
The Urgent Care Centre is based at the Great Western Hospital.
No appointment is required and the centre is open every day (including bank holidays and weekends) between 7am and 12am.
Below are a few examples of when patients may visit the Urgent Care Centre:
- Shortness of breath
- Hot swollen painful leg-cellulitis
- Being unable to pass urine
- Abdominal pain
- Bleeding in pregnancy
- Children with croup
Accident & Emergency
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.
