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A&E / 999 (Emergency Services)
Accident & Emergency (A&E) is for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- suspected heart attack or stroke
- chest pain
- head injuries
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding
- major trauma (e.g. from a road traffic accident)
- loss of consciousness
If your condition is life-threatening, you should call 999 (emergency number) or go straight to your nearest A&E.
If it’s an emergency and you need access to urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you should always first phone NHS 24 on 111, or speak to your local GP, before attending A&E.
NHS 24
If you think you need to visit A&E but it’s not life-threatening, you can phone NHS 24 on 111 for free, day or night. This is useful if you:
- think you need to go to A&E but you’re not sure whether it constitutes as a medical emergency
- are too ill to wait for your GP practice and/or local pharmacy to open
NHS 24 will help you get the right care in the right place, often closer to home and without the need to go to A&E. This may include a phone or video consultation.
NHS 24’s health information service includes self-help guides for a range of common conditions.
If you use a textphone you can contact NHS 24 on 18001 111, or 18000 for emergency services.
Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)
Minor Injury Units (MIUs) can treat many common problems quickly, including:
- cuts
- minor burns
- sprains or strains
- broken or fractured bones
If you think you need to visit a MIU, you should call NHS 24 on 111. NHS 24 will direct you to the best care for your needs. They’re often a faster option than A&E for non-life-threatening injuries and no appointment is needed.
Pharmacist
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy. If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice.
Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns. They can give you advice and treatment (if you need it) for various minor illnesses and common clinical conditions, such as:
- respiratory illnesses (e.g. cough, sore throat)
- diarrhoea or constipation
- indigestion
- aches and pains
- skin conditions (e.g. acne, shingles, cellulitis, insect bites, etc.)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs), cystitis and thrush (women only)
Read the complete list of conditions you can get help on through Pharmacy First.
NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is available from all pharmacies in Scotland that dispense NHS prescriptions. You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy.
If the pharmacist, or a member of their team, thinks it is better for you to see your GP or another healthcare professional, they may refer you directly or tell you to make an appointment.
Dentist
Dentists are trained to deal with both urgent and routine problems affecting your teeth, gums and mouth, such as:
- injury to your mouth
- tooth pain
- swelling in your mouth
- painful or bleeding gums
- issues around oral hygiene
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, contact your dental practice for advice or an appointment. Like GP practices, dental practices are also able to offer emergency appointments if needed. Your GP practice will not be able to help you with any dental or oral issues.
If you’re not currently registered with a dental practice, here’s what to do if you aren’t registered but you need urgent dental treatment.
To register with a dentist, find an NHS dentist in your area or enquire with your local health board.
Optometrist
If you have an eye problem, you should contact an optometry practice first. Optometrists are eye specialists who can help with emergency eye issues such as:
- red or sticky eye
- pain in or around your eye
- blurred or reduced vision
- flashes and floaters
They can assess your symptoms via an eye examination, provide treatment and refer you to specialist care if needed.
All NHS eye examinations (eye tests) are free in Scotland if you usually live in the UK, are a refugee or asylum seeker, and – in some cases – if you are an eligible overseas visitor.
Mental Health Support
Anyone can experience mental health issues, at any point in their life. You don’t have to deal with these problems alone.
NHS 24 mental health services are available to everyone in Scotland of all ages. Services offered include listening, offering advice and guiding you to further help if required. Phone 111 if you’re feeling distressed, in a state of despair, suicidal and/or in need of emotional support. For an emergency ambulance, phone 999.
Other mental health support services available to you include:
- Living Life at NHS 24 – Provides telephone support using talking therapies based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It’s a free phone service for anyone over 16 in Scotland who is experiencing low mood, mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety. You can refer yourself for an assessment by phoning 0800 328 9655 (Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm).
- Breathing Space – A free confidential listening service for people aged 16 and over in Scotland who are experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. You can phone Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles. There’s also a webchat service available at breathingspace.scot. Phone line available 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday to 6am Monday) and 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday to Thursday).
- Samaritans – Free mental health helpline available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can phone 116 123 to connect to a listening volunteer.
- Childline – Support for young people under 19 struggling with mental health issues, or any other problem. You can phone 0800 1111 to speak to an adviser 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles. There is also a one-to-one webchat service available on their website.
GP Surgery
As your local GP practice team, we’re the main point of contact for general healthcare for NHS Scotland. We’re here to support you to get the right kind of care when you need it.
Your practice has a range of clinicians, including doctors (general practitioners), advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs), nurses, healthcare assistants and more, who can help you with both physical and mental health issues. Together, we can provide you with advice, treatment and ongoing care for a wide variety of health concerns.
We’re available to help if you:
- have an urgent care need
- have an illness that does not improve with self-treatment
- are worried about your health
- have an ongoing health condition
While for some injuries and illnesses it may be necessary to speak to a GP, other times you can get faster or more appropriate care from other places.Before you contact us, we strongly recommend trying the above options to ensure you connect with the best person for your problem.