Medical Services
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
Striving To Cover All Your Medical Needs
It is vitally important for our NHS, that we are treated in the most appropriate location, by the most appropriate healthcare professional.
Please use the information below to help you decide where you need to go, or who to call.
Self Care
Many illnesses or symptoms, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains can be treated in your home with plenty of rest and a well-stocked medicine cabinet that includes painkillers; cold and flu remedies; plasters; and a thermometer. For further information on how to treat a wide range of ailments at home, visit NHS Choices www.nhs.uk.
There are also many activities that can help promote better health and wellness. Newham Council and Active Newham websites provide information and advice on a wide range of services, voluntary organisations and support available within the borough.
Active Newham
A Leisure Trust with charitable status working in partnership with Newham Council to deliver leisure, sports and volunteering opportunities in Newham. Their mission is to support you to become more active in your local community. Whether it’s to take part in your favourite sport, organise an event in your local neighbourhood park, or even just to achieve you fitness goals. You can find out what’s going on in your local community here.
Newham Council’s Community and living pages
Providing valuable information and advice on what services, facilities and support are available within the local community. There are over 30 community centres in Newham which provide a range of activities to reflect the needs and interests of local residents. Details of these are available on the council website here.
Local Pharmacy
Pharmacists offer a range of health services. As well as dispensing prescriptions and other medicines, your pharmacy can provide free, confidential expert advice and treatment for a variety of common illnesses and complaints, without having to book a GP appointment.
Most now have a quiet area where you can speak to the pharmacist more privately and many are open during the evenings and weekends.
Find your nearest pharmacist by visiting the Pharmacy services near you section of the NHS Choices website.
All pharmacies will provide the following services:
-dispensing
-repeat dispensing
-disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
-advice on treatment of minor conditions and healthy living
GP Out of Hours Services
For urgent GP services between 6:30pm and 8am on weekdays, and 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays, you can contact the Newham GP Out of Hours service, either by calling 0207 511 8880 or call NHS 111.
When you need medical help or advice, but it’s not a 999 emergency, you can call 111 (Textphone 18001 111).
The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Calls to 111 are free from any landline, mobile and phone box and is a fast and easy way for you access local NHS healthcare services, whatever the time. There is also a confidential interpreter service, which is available in many languages. Simply mention the language you wish to use when the NHS 111 operator answers your call.
The 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers and experienced clinicians. On dialling 111 a member of the team will assess your condition and direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best, when you need it. That could be your GP surgery, an out-of-hours GP, A&E, a local urgent care centre, emergency dentist or a late opening pharmacist.
If it is an emergency, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately without the need for any further assessment, just as quickly as if you had dialled 999.
For less urgent health needs, residents should still contact their GP or local pharmacist.
More information on our local NHS 111 can be found here
999 or A&E
The Newham General Hospital A&E department treats patients with major, life-threatening illnesses and injuries, so you should only call 999 or visit A&E when your situation is critical. Using a more appropriate service will save you time-and could save lives.
In Newham, our ambulance service is operated by the London Ambulance Service, and A&E services are provided by Barts Health from Newham General Hospital.
TESTIMONIALS
“Overall I had a very good experience, the staff are doing a great job and I would recommend this service.”
“Big thank you for the Doctor who treated me …and to the member of staff at Urgent Care centre reception. Keep up your smiles!”
“Big thank you for the Doctor who treated me …and to the member of staff at Urgent Care centre reception. Keep up your smiles!”
“It was quick and efficient, and the receptionist was friendly!”
“The Doctor was very helpful”
“I got exactly what I needed from the service”