What To Do If You Can’t Get A Gp Appointment
East Sussex County Council have issued a helpful guide to making the best use of NHS services in a bid to prevent overloading local A&E services. However, the rise in visits to A&E has been provoked by the decline in GP services throughout the country. According to official figures, the average number of patients per GP rose by 56 between 2018 and 2019 to 2,087.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story, as according to the BBC, there is “close to a threefold difference between the areas with the most and fewest doctors” and East Sussex is in one of the worst areas for GP access. If you have had the impression that it is getting more difficult to see a doctor, you are not imagining things.
So what’s available? If it’s not an emergency and you can’t get a GP appointment, ESSCC offers the following advice (modified for residents of Hastings).
NHS website
Visit www.nhs.uk to:
• Check your symptoms to see if you need further treatment
• Better understand your health so you can stay well
• Find out what services are available if you need treatment
Call NHS 111
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers. Depending on the situation, they can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP, and can arrange face-to-face appointments if they think you need one. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
Useful tips: they can issue repeat prescriptions if you find yourself stuck without your medication and can’t access your doctor; if they feel you need urgent attention, they might be able to arrange an immediate appointment at the Walk-In Centre.
Visit your local pharmacy
There are many local pharmacies on the high street, in supermarkets and shopping centres. You don’t need an appointment and they can offer expert advice on bugs and viruses, minor injuries, stomach problems, skin conditions and allergies.
Visit a Minor Injuries Unit
Unfortunately, the nearest are in Crowborough and Uckfield.
Walk in services
Walk in services are available from 10am-4pm on Christmas Day and 8am-8pm every other day at:
• Station Plaza Health Centre, Hastings – 01424 884410
Mental health crisis support
Support services are available for people suffering from mental health problems who are at risk and may not be able to keep themselves safe, or who are considering attending A&E for help with their mental health.
• The Sussex Mental Healthline is a telephone service offering support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. The service is also available to carers and healthcare professionals. You do not need an appointment.
Call 0300 5000 101, Monday to Friday 5pm to 9am, and 24 hours at weekends and Bank Holidays. Visit www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/sussex-mental-healthline
• Samaritans – 116 123. Call free for emotional support any time day or night www.samaritans.org
You can also find more information and advice in the East Sussex mental health directory.
Emergency dental treatment
• If your own dentist cannot help or you don’t have a dentist, call the NHS Dental Helpline on 0300 1231663, Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm, for an appointment.
• If you need help outside these hours, call NHS 111 or contact (01424) 850792 from 6.30-10.30pm weekdays or 9.00am-1.30pm weekends and bank holidays. This isn’t a drop-in service, so you’ll need to call to make an appointment.
• For full information visit news.eastsussex.gov.uk/health-and-care-news-east-sussex/2019/12/16/which-service-do-you-need-2019
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