Out of Hours Help

NHS 111: What is 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 think you need to go to a hospital A&E department 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

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way. If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

How does it work?

The NHS 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist.

Where possible, the NHS 111 team will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.

If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for one to be sent to you.

Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

Pharmacy

For help in treating minor ailments and general health advice. From 31st January 2024, Pharmacy First was launched which enables community pharmacists to complete episodes of care for patients without the need for the patient to visit their general practice.

As well as blood pressure tests, your local pharmacist can now also manage the following seven common conditions:

Both Forest Surgery and Badgerswood Surgery have a pharmacy attached directly to the Practice. Both stock a complete range of prescription and over the counter medicationfor the convenience of our patients and others who are not registered at the practice.

Click on the links below to visit the pharmacy websites

Headley Pharmacy

Chase Pharmacy

It is possible for the signed prescription to be passed directly to the pharmacy where it will be made up, and made available for you to collect. Similar arrangements are available from other local pharmacies. Speak to your GP or clinician in order to set up or change your designated pharmacy.

The Partners in the Practice have a financial interest in Forest Medical Services Ltd, which operates and manages both onsite pharmacies, Headley Pharmacy and Chase Pharmacy. Patients are free to use other pharmacies.

A managed Repeat Medication service is available to patients who are on regular stable medications. They may be issued a 6 monthly authorisation whereby the prescription will be automatically available for collection from either pharmacy on a fixed day of the month without needing to request it each month. If you feel that this service may be suitable for you, please discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist.

NHS Healthier Together App

The NHS Healthier Together app has been designed to allow you to access care for your child much more easily. If your child is unwell and needs to be seen by a healthcare professional, instead of having to call your GP surgery, your surgery may offer you the option to use the app to directly inform them about your child’s symptoms. They will then contact you to decide what needs to be done. And if you are seeking help when your GP surgery is shut, it will direct you to NHS 111. Lots of other parents have already downloaded it and have found it extremely useful.

NHS Minor Injuries Unit – Petersfield Hospital

The Petersfield UTC is an alternative to the Emergency Department for both children and adults. It provides treatment for minor injuries and illnesses that are urgent, but not life threatening. They can help with problems such as:

• Sprains and strains
• Suspected broken limbs
• Minor head injuries
• Minor scalds and burns
• Skin infections and rashes
• Eye problems
• Feverish illness in adults and children
• Abdominal pain
• Emergency contraception

Opening Hours: Everyday 8:00am to 8:00pm

Main Reception: 023 8231 1650

Petersfield Community Hospital
Swan Street
Petersfield
Hampshire
GU32 3LB

999

In a genuine emergency, you should call 999.
Chest pains and/or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.