There is a crisis in General Practice. GP appointments are in very high demand but are in short supply. Research shows that as many as 40% of consultations with a GP are not actually needed. This may be because it was more appropriate to self-care, or because the GP was not the best person to see.
Many common illnesses and minor injuries will get better with self-care alone.
GP’s also work in conjunction with other Primary Care professionals such as Opticians, Dentists and Pharmacists, all of whom can deliver advice and treatment without the need to contact a GP.
Urgent Treatment Centres and Accident & Emergency Departments offer unplanned, urgent or emergency care.
Many local services accept self-referral without the need to see or speak to a GP first. You can normally refer yourself to these services by phone, attend a drop in clinic or complete a simple self-referral form, usually online.
We would like to empower our patients to self-care and where this fails, to get the right help from the right person at the right time. With this in mind, we have developed the following flow chart to help you decide how best to manage your own health and social care. The list of conditions is not exhaustive, but aims to give a broad overview of the types of conditions each service is appropriate for. If you are unsure about how to get help visit NHS 111 online, ring 111 or speak to the surgery.
Is your problem life threatening?
If your problem is life threatening, ring 999 immediately.
- Altered consciousness
- Anaphylaxis or severe allergy
- Choking
- Hypothermia
- Suspected heart attack
- Suspected stroke
- Suspected meningitis
- Severe breathlessness
- Severe bleeding
- Severe burns
- Severe injuries
- Fits
- Acute confusion
- Looks very poorly
- Rapidly worsening condition
Are you experiencing an emergency?
If your problem is an emergency, go directly to the nearest Accident & Emergency Department.
- Floppy baby
- Drowsy child
- Suspected broken bone
- Severe head injury
- Sudden loss of vision
- Injuries to the eye
- Swallowed foreign body
- Persistent nosebleed
- Severe abdominal pain
- Drug overdose
- Difficulty speaking because of breathlessness
- Suspected blood clot
Do you need urgent help?
If your problem is urgent, but does not require an ambulance or a visit to the Accident & Emergency Department, go to your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre, Minor Injury & Illness Unit, look online at NHS 111or ring 111 for advice.
- Bites and stings
- Cuts and grazes
- Sprains and strains
- Skin foreign bodies
- Diarrhoea and vomiting
- Minor burns and scalds
- Minor head injuries
- Minor infections (ear, throat, skin)
- Feverish illness in adults
- Feverish illness in children
Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), that was previously located within the City Care Centre on Thorpe Road in Peterborough, has now moved to Peterborough City Hospital.
The UTC is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, and will continue to cover the full range of injuries and illnesses with access to diagnostics, such as x-rays and scans.
NHS 111 can book an appointment for patients at the UTC if required by their healthcare concern or they can walk in.
The GP Out of Hours service is also now located at the UTC, access to which is by appointment only Patients who feel unwell when the GP practice is closed should ring NHS 111 first, which can make sure patients receive the right care for their healthcare concern. This could include an Out of Hours appointment.
On arrival at Peterborough City Hospital, please follow the signs to access the UTC via the hospital Emergency Department.
Are you experiencing a mental health crisis?
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis ring the First Response Service by dialling 111 and choosing option 2 or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency department.
- Sudden deterioration in your mental health
- Thoughts of harming yourself or someone else
- Feeling like you can no longer cope
- Feeling like you have reached crisis point
The First Response Service supports people experiencing a mental health crisis. It provides 24-hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year access to mental health care, advice and support. By calling 111, and selecting option 2, you will be put through to a member of FRS who will speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.
Have you tried self-care?
Many common illnesses and minor injuries will get better with self-care alone.
A range of common illnesses such as cold and flu and minor injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest. Many patients attend with conditions that would get better with self-care. Studies show that 25-40% of consultations with a GP are unnecessary so it would help if patients only booked an appointment with a GP if they really need to.
- Coughs and colds
- Mild sore throat
- Flu-like illness
- Mild earache
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Hangover
- Sunburn
- Grazes
There are a wide variety of helpful Self Care information and resources available which could help you to treat your illness without the need for an appointment:
Self Care Forum
The Self Care Forum is a charity which aims to further the reach of self care and embed it into everyday life. Self Care is the actions that individuals take for themselves, on behalf of and with others in order to develop, protect, maintain and improve their health, wellbeing or wellness.
Could your local Pharmacist help?
Visit a Pharmacy for healthcare advice without an appointment
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Your local Pharmacist is able to help with minor cuts, sprains, aches and pains, colds and flu, headaches, rashes, cystitis, emergency contraceptive (most Pharmacies now offer this service) and other common conditions:-
- Athlete’s foot
- Bloating and flatulence
- Blocked or runny nose
- Coughs and colds
- Conjunctivitis
- Constipation
- Cold sores
- Cystitis
- Emergency contraception
- Hayfever
- Headlice
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel
- Indigestion
- Medicine queries
- Mouth ulcers
- Piles
- Sore throat
- Scabies
- Styes
- Sleep problems
- Thrush
- Threadworms
- Teething problems
- Verrucas
- Warts
No appointment is necessary and your local Pharmacist is usually open late, is available at weekends and many public holidays. It will also save you making an appointment with your GP.
Over the Counter Medicines
A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
New Medicine Service
The New Medicine Service is available at Pharmacies to give you extra help and advice if you’re just starting on a new medicine for one of the following conditions:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine
More about the New Medicine Service.
Treat Yourself Better
We support the campaign to encourage people to self-treat minor ailments such as colds and flu. The Treat Yourself Better Without Antibiotics website is full of information to help people understand when how long they can expect their symptoms to last for, when they need to see a doctor and when they would be better off visiting their local pharmacist for advice.
Do you have a problem with your eyes?
Whatever your eye problem your first port of call should be an optometrist. An optometrist is the best person to assess urgent eye problems, check for eye disorders and treat eye conditions. They have the professional training and necessary equipment to assess most eye problems.
- Routine eye screening
- Problems with your glasses
- Flashes or floaters
- Poor vision
- Blurred vision
- Double vision
If your optician is closed and you can’t wait until it reopens call 111
If you sustain an eye injury that requires immediate emergency treatment go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.
Do you have a problem with your teeth or gums?
Your Dentist should be your first port of call with any tooth/gum problem.
- Toothache
- Gum problems
- Bad breath
- Dental abscess
- Loose teeth
- Problems with your dentures
For dental emergencies, call the dentist with whom you are registered. You should receive a recorded message advising you of the arrangements that have been made for emergency cover. If you have not registered with a dentist, please try to do so as soon as possible. Dentist’s can perform an appropriate assessment and advise on necessary intervention including use of any antibiotics.
If you require emergency treatment, you should contact NHS 111
Dental emergencies are: acute dental pain, facial or oral swelling, bleeding from the mouth or trauma.
Could you self-refer? No need to speak to a GP or Nurse – you can refer yourself!
Many services accept self-referral without the need to speak to a GP on Nurse.
We have provided our patients with a list of services that you can self-refer to without the need to see a GP or Nurse. You can normally self-refer by phone, attend a drop in clinic or by completing a self-referral form which you can send via email or post to the service of your choice.
Do you need Social Care & Support?
You should contact social services with any social care query.
- Concerns about abuse
- Concerns about safeguarding
- Care packages
- Respite care
- Help around the home
- Help with benefits
- Welfare rights
If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.
Could our Social Prescriber help?
Social Prescribing is a free service that will help people explore what really matters to them and find out about opportunities within their local community to be able to support them in improving their health and wellbeing.
Our Social Prescribing Link Work can support patients over the age of 18 who may feel low or anxious, who have been bereaved, who feel lonely or isolated, who live with long term conditions, who want to improve their physical health, who are struggling with their housing arrangements, who are struggling with their financial situations and people who are seeking employment.
Receptionists, Nurses and GP’s at the surgery can refer you to the Practices Social Prescribing Link Worker, all you need to do is ask and with your explicit consent they will send a referral on your behalf.
You can also email [email protected] with your contact details and enquiry.
The Social Prescriber will contact you as soon as they are able to do so within normal practice opening hours, usually; Monday- Friday 09:00-16:00. The first contact will usually be by telephone to discuss your situation to help plan what happens next. The Social Prescriber will be giving you time to be able to establish what you would like to achieve and discuss how you might achieve it.
Do you have a problem with a muscle, bone, joint or nerve?
For musculoskeletal problems book an appointment directly with our First Contact Physiotherapist (via reception) or self-refer to Dynamic Health (NHS physiotherapy).
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder pain
- Back Pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Foot pain
- Joint problem
- Gait problem
- Sports injury
- Posture advice
- Mobility issues
- Rehabilitation
- Exercise advice
Do you need a midwife?
If you are pregnant and have a pregnancy related question or concern, the midwife can help.
- Pregnancy advice
- Antenatal care
- Postnatal care
Do you need a District Nurse?
If you are housebound and need help with any of the following, the District Nurses can help.
- Catheter problems
- Dressings and woundcare
- Injections (e.g. heparin)
- Post hospital care
- End of life care
Book an appointment with one of our Nursing Team
Our Nurses are usually able to assess the situation and in some cases will organise initial blood tests and other investigations prior to arranging a follow up appointment with your doctor.
- Asthma and COPD reviews
- Blood Pressure
- Cardiovascular Health
- Diabetes
- Dressings, woundcare and removal of stitches
- Family Planning
- Health Checks
- Swabs
- Smears
- Pessaries
- Travel advice
- Vaccinations
- Weight management
To book an appointment with one of our Nursing Team speak with our Reception Team or follow the link to SystmOnline to book online:
- Jenner Healthcare @ Eye – call 01733 222 282
- Jenner Healthcare @ Thorney – call 01733 270 219
- Jenner Healthcare @ Whittlesey – call 01733 206 200
It is easier and quicker to manage your appointments via our online service. Simply log in and select an option. If you experience any difficulties booking online, contact a member of our reception team.
Book an appointment with one of our Advanced Nurse Practitioners or Doctors
Some patients, often those with complex and long-standing medical problems, may need an appointment with a doctor.
To book an appointment with one of our Doctors speak to our Reception Team or follow the link to Systmonline to book online:
- Jenner Healthcare @ Eye – call 01733 222 282
- Jenner Healthcare @ Thorney – call 01733 270 219
- Jenner Healthcare @ Whittlesey – call 01733 206 200
It is easier and quicker to manage your appointments via our online service. Simply log in and select an option. If you experience any difficulties booking online, contact a member of our reception team.
When the surgery is closed
Call 111
Call 111 when we are closed to speak to an NHS professional on any urgent health or medical issue.
Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
Urgent Treatment Centre
Urgent treatment centres are a facility you can go to if you need urgent medical attention, but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
At the moment, the NHS offers a mix of walk-in centres, urgent care centres, minor injury units and urgent treatment centres, all with different levels of service.
Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), that was previously located within the City Care Centre on Thorpe Road in Peterborough, has now moved to Peterborough City Hospital.
The UTC is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week, and will continue to cover the full range of injuries and illnesses with access to diagnostics, such as x-rays and scans.
NHS 111 can book an appointment for patients at the UTC if required by their healthcare concern or they can walk in.
The GP Out of Hours service is also now located at the UTC, access to which is by appointment only Patients who feel unwell when the GP practice is closed should ring NHS 111 first, which can make sure patients receive the right care for their healthcare concern. This could include an Out of Hours appointment.
On arrival at Peterborough City Hospital, please follow the signs to access the UTC via the hospital Emergency Department.
If you have an emergency please call 999
Medical emergencies can include:
- loss of consciousness
- an acute confused state
- fits that aren’t stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that can’t be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
Mental Health Crisis?
In the event of a mental health crisis:
First Response Service (FRS)
The First Response Service supports people experiencing a mental health crisis. It provides 24-hour, seven days a week, 365 days a year access to mental health care, advice and support. By calling 111, and selecting option 2, you will be put through to a member of FRS who will speak to you and discuss your current mental health needs.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you, or someone you know, experiences a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency. These are cases where there is immediate danger to life or physical injury. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself, you should call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.
It’s important to use A&E only for serious injuries and major emergencies.
Still unsure? See our who do I see page?
Who is the best Healthcare Professional to see for the following conditions: