NHS 111, your local pharmacy and GP surgery are within easy reach

If you’re feeling poorly, there are plenty of ways to get the help you need.

Don’t delay. Go to nhs.uk to find out your options

Contact NHS 111

NHS 111 is for medical problems that are urgent but not life-threatening.

Go online via a link on the NHS App or call free on 111.

Depending on the situation, NHS 111 will refer you to a local service that can assist you: connect you to a nurse, pharmacist or doctor, tell you how to get any medicine you need, provide self-care advice or, if severe, ask you to head to in-person urgent care such as A&E.

Visit your local pharmacy

For things like aches and pains, your local pharmacy can provide clinical services, expert healthcare advice and medication.

You don’t need an appointment – just call or pop in.

Contact your GP team

In person, by phone or online, at your GP surgery a team of healthcare professionals can help you.

A trained receptionist will assess your issue and the care you need, then direct you to the right help.

Meet the pharmacists

Edris Mahmud and Hassan Iqbal manage Stone Pharmacy in Selby, Yorkshire

“You can walk into a community pharmacy and get a fast, professional opinion. We are just a phone call or visit away from supporting the public, and our pharmacy team is available every day of the week should any issues occur.

“Pharmacists are trained in spotting red flag symptoms or health issues and have the knowledge to recognise which may be urgent and need escalating.

We’re trained to spot red flag symptoms

Edris Mahmud and Hassan Iqbal

“At Stone, we offer a range of services you may or may not expect from a community pharmacy, such as flu vaccination, health checks and advice on how to stop smoking. The pharmacy also offers a range of private services – and a friendly service, of course.”

Michael Sam-Yorke is a locum pharmacist across Essex and East London

“I enjoy the patient interaction of being a pharmacist more than anything. It’s so rewarding when I meet a patient and feel that I’ve helped them.

“All pharmacists are qualified health professionals and train in the use of medicines. There are lots of things people see a GP team for that can be done by a pharmacist – from a common cold to skin problems to eye infections, earache and teething.

“People often ask for advice on how to lose weight or stop smoking and parents will often come in asking for advice.

“Other patients will present with no particular problem, they simply tell you they are not feeling well and we use our knowledge to see if we can work out what the problem is.

Come and talk to me

Michael Sam-Yorke

“For example, as part of the NHS community pharmacy blood pressure check service, we can assess someone’s cardiovascular health. Depending on what is available at each pharmacy, we can also help when it comes to flu jabs.

“We communicate with people from all walks of life and that makes the job very interesting.

“I like to build relationships so people feel comfortable to come and talk to me.”

Sanjeev Panesar runs Pan Pharmacy in Sheldon, Birmingham

“I’m a second-generation pharmacist, as my father did the same job. I started off at a national chain before moving into the family business.

“Our pharmacy is quite the social hub at times. Patients are of all ages and from all walks of life. I see many on a monthly basis and you build lovely relationships.

“It’s nice when you help people with their health but also when you can give them time.

“The services we can offer are constantly developing and what is available may depend on where you live.

We can help you with everything from head to toe

Sanjeev Panesar

“At my pharmacy, we offer an extended care service – along with a range of private services.

“We assess each case and refer you on to other services if necessary. We have a consulting room too, so often we can invite people in if we need to take a look at something or discuss something more private. It makes a huge difference to patients knowing they can have confidential advice.

“A lot of issues are seasonal so we might see coughs and colds through the winter or hay fever-related issues in the spring or summer.

“It can be anything, from head to toe – sports-related injuries, diarrhoea, earache, sleep or mental health.

“You don’t need an appointment to go to a pharmacy. We have a very broad knowledge base and look for red flags when something might be wrong and a patient needs to be referred to a GP surgery, a dentist, an optician – or when we can deal with it in-house ourselves.”