Do I Need to See My GP?

For a number of common minor illnesses and ailments there is no need to book an appointment with your GP, there is no specific cure for these ailments and they will be relieved with time and simple remedies available without prescription.

The NHS Minor Ailments Service allows eligible patients to receive a prescription directly from their pharmacist without consulting their GP for a number of conditions. Eligible patients include the over 60s, under 16s, under-19s in full time education and people with certain exemption certificates or receiving certain benefits.

We also feel it is important that all households should keep a reasonably stocked supply of over the counter medicines at home to deal with minor ailments. Remember all medicines should be stored in a box or cupboard with a lock and kept well out of the reach of children. Always check the expiry date on medicines and do not keep them for future use, as they lose their effect or become dangerous.

The graphic below offers sensible advice on where to turn to for help with your ailment, from minor illnesses and toothaches through to life-threatening incidents such as heart attacks and strokes. This advice can also be downloaded as a PDF and more information can be found on the various services at the know who to turn to website