Do I Need to See a Doctor...?

Demand for appointments is increasing. Making the most efficient use of time is important for everybody. The traditional face-to-face appointment with a doctor or nurse is not always required. Here are some alternative ways of dealing with certain queries:

Urgent health concerns

Calling 999 is appropriate in the following life-threatening situations:

- sudden onset chest pain with shortness of breath or general unwellness
- difficulty breathing
- severe loss of blood
- severe burns or scolds
- choking
- unconsciousness not obviously a brief faint
- fitting
- severe allergic reaction 
- suspected broken bone resulting in inablity to move

If symptoms are not life- threatening but you feel require advice or assessment the same day, consider calling 111 for advice or contact Fleet Medical Centre to arrange a telephone or surgery appointment with the duty nurse practitioner or doctor.