Appointments

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a service that’s been introduced to make it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services in England. You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

When to use it

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

What is an Emergency?

Whatever the time of day, if you or someone else experiences the symptoms below and you feel it is serious and could be life threatening, so cannot wait, go to the nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999.

Symptoms include

Chest pain

Severe abdominal pain

Vomiting blood

Black stools

Breathlessness

Non-blanching rashes (the glass test)

Possible anaphylactic shock (swelling of mouth and throat)

Emergencies will be dealt with as a priority.

A&E

The nearest A&E department is at Ealing Hospital, however you can also use the NHS Choices search tool, to find the nearest A&E to you.

Paediatrics A&E

Please be aware that the Ealing Hospital A&E cannot treat children. The below hospitals have Paediatrics A&E:

Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Heath Rd, Uxbridge UB8 3NN

West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Rd, Isleworth TW7 6AF

St Mary’s Hospital, Praed St, London W2 1NY

Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Rd, Harrow HA1 3UJ

Chelsea and Westminster, 369 Fulham Road, London, SW10 9NH

NHS 111 Urgent Care Services

Call 111 if you need medical help fast, but it’s not life-threatening. For example, if you;

Think you need to go to hospital

Don’t know who to call for medical help

Don’t have a GP to call

Need medical advice or reassurance about what to do next

We do understand that sometimes you may forget your appointment, or that other important life incidents happen and that you sometimes no longer need the appointment. We do ask that if you cannot attend your appointment, please cancel it or notify the practice why you did not attend at your earliest convenience.

We have a large number of people who do not attend their appointments every single week leading to wasted doctor and nurse time, leading to delays in you being able to get an appointment.

You can telephone us on 020 8992 4331, cancel via Systm Online, or come in and speak to Reception.

Please let us know well in advance, at least 4 working hours, if you cannot make your appointment so that it may be allocated to another patient.

It is clinically better for you to be seen at the surgery where we have better facilities, diagnostic aids and lighting to assess you. We work closely with Ealing Community Transport to bring patients to the surgery where possible.

Home visits are ONLY for housebound patients and for those too ill to attend the surgery. Home visits are not for those who do not have transport.

If you need a home visit please contact the surgery as early as possible in the morning, before 10:00, and give one of our receptionists details. Our duty doctor will call you back for more information and confirm whether a home visit is appropriate depending on the urgency of your needs.

Prepare your thoughts and problems in advance by writing down your problem e.g: When your symptoms started, how they have changed.

Do a urine sample if you have pain passing urine or lower abdominal pain.

Do not try to add another person in on your consultation. Let reception know you need another appointment for this individual or prioritise who needs the appointment more.

Be honest with the doctor. It is important to tell the doctor the main reason you are there at the start of the consultation. If you are embarrassed, don’t be, the doctor is there to help and won’t be shocked.

Please be aware that doctor’s appointments are 10 minutes long. It is very difficult to deal with more than one problem effectively in 10 minutes. If you have more than one problem please let the doctor know right at the beginning of the consultation. This allows you both to choose which area to focus on. The doctor may be able to deal with more than one problem if they are related. However, they may advise you to book another appointment, especially if they are new or complex problems.

Unfortunately due to limited capacity and frequent missed appointments patients are unable to book a double appointment directly with reception unless it has been specifically requested by a doctor or they are being seen for an appointment which requires extra time (for instance an annual mental health, diabetes annual review, or an appointment with an interpreter).

If you have any special needs please inform reception in advance so we can prepare the appointment for you first time (e.g. need an interpreter, visual impairment, hearing impairment, prefer male/female doctor etc..)

If you know you have difficulty understanding or explaining things, bring someone you trust with you or if you require an advocate, see the NHS advocacy services for further guidance.

Dress accordingly for possible examination. Loose clothing is best and remove any layers in advance.

Please let reception know if you would like a chaperone.

A consultation is about sharing in decisions about your care and goals. To make a good consultation you should let your doctor know about your goals, hopes, fears and expectations. This is why doctors ask you for YOUR thoughts. At the end of a consultation you should know:

What is your main problem.

What do you need to do about it.

What to do if it does not get any better.

PLEASE READ URGENT INFORMATION BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Useful Links

NHS website – Get the most from a doctor’s appointment