A range of common illnesses such as cold and flu and minor injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.

Examples of the ailments best treated by yourself are:

• Upset stomach
• Grazed knee
• Common cold
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Colds & Flu

There are a wide variety of helpful Self Care information and resources available which could help you to treat your illness without the need for an appointment:

NHS - A-Z of Symptoms

NHS Live well

Visit a Pharmacy for healthcare advice without an appointment.

It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

The Pharmacy First scheme provides advice, treatment and medicines for common ailments from your local pharmacy. How does it work?

If you have any common ailments, you can access the Pharmacy First scheme in two ways:

• Visit one of the pharmacies taking part in the Pharmacy First scheme.  You will be seen promptly by a member of the pharmacy team and you can ask to be seen in private.
• Some practices use this scheme and may give you a voucher (one per patient) to take to the pharmacy. 

What is the pharmacy first scheme?

New Medicine Service

The New Medicine Service is available at Pharmacies to give you extra help and advice if you’re just starting on a new medicine for one of the following conditions:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• type 2 diabetes
• high blood pressure
• people who have been given a new blood-thinning medicine

More about the New Medicine Service

Treat Yourself Better

We support the campaign to encourage people to self-treat minor ailments such as colds and flu. The Treat Yourself Better Without Antibiotics website is full of information to help people understand when how long they can expect their symptoms to last for, when they need to see a doctor and when they would be better off visiting their local pharmacist for advice. 

Find a Pharmacy near you 

Improving Access to Psychological Therapies

We want to make access to psychological therapy as easy as possible; so we have created several ways for you to access our services.

How to access psychological therapies

Self referral

To register your referral, we will need your name, date of birth, contact details including postal address, and name of the GP surgery you are registered with.

I want to self-refer for this service

Podiatry

We provide a wide range of foot health services in Essex and in the community. This includes assessment, diagnosis, treatment, education and advice on disease and deformities related to the foot and lower limb.

How can you get a referral?

Any person registered with us can be referred by their GP or apply to the service by submitting an application form. However, only people with a health condition that impacts on the health of their feet, or people with a significant foot problem such as a wound, acutely ingrowing nail or painful musculoskeletal condition, can be given access to the service.

I want to self-refer for foot care

Stop Smoking

You can book an appointment to see a stop smoking advisor at one of several clinics in Southend that offer free support and medication on prescription to help you quit

I would like help to quit smoking

Maternity Services

Your antenatal care

Community midwives run antenatal clinics in Children’s Centres and GP practices close to where you live, and are often the first point of contact for pregnant women. It is important you contact your midwife a soon as possible in pregnancy so that they can plan your ongoing care with you.

Whatever your eye problem your first port of call should be an optometrist. An optometrist is the best person to assess urgent eye problems, check for eye disorders and treat eye conditions. They have the professional training and necessary equipment to assess most eye problems. 

Find an Optician in your area

If your optician is closed and you can’t wait until it reopens call 111

If you sustain an eye injury that requires immediate emergency treatment go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.

For dental emergencies, call the dentist with whom you are registered. You should receive a recorded message advising you of the arrangements that have been made for emergency cover. If you have not registered with a dentist, please try to do so as soon as possible. Dentist’s can perform an appropriate assessment and advise on necessary intervention including use of any antibiotics.

Further help and advice about Dental emergencies

If you require emergency treatment, you should contact NHS 111 

Dental emergencies are: acute dental pain, facial or oral swelling, bleeding from the mouth or trauma.

If you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability, this website explains your options and where you can get support.

Social care advice and help

Call 111

NHS 111 is a free phone service which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

It offers you a one-stop number if you have urgent, but not life-threatening, symptoms and want a fast and easy way to get help when you need it.

You should call 111 if:

• it’s not a 999 emergency
• you think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
• you don’t think it can wait for an appointment with your GP
• you don’t know who to call for medical help.

For less urgent health needs you should still contact your GP in the usual way. For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

If you have an emergency please call 999

Medical emergencies can include: 

• Loss of consciousness
• An acute confused state
• Fits that aren’t stopping
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Severe bleeding that can’t be stopped
• Severe allergic reactions
• Severe burns or scalds

It’s important to use A&E only for serious injuries and major emergencies.

Use your local minor injuries unit if you need medical treatment or advice which does not need a visit to A&E or a medical appointment. 

Some examples of problems they deal with:

• Sprains and strains
• Suspected broken limbs
• Minor head injuries
• Cuts and grazes
• Bites and stings
• Minor scalds and burns
• Ear and throat infections
• Skin infections and rashes
• Eye problems
• Coughs and colds
• Feverish illness in adults
• Feverish illness in children
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Emergency contraception

Find your nearest minor injuries unit

Some patients, often those with complex and long-standing medical problems, may need an appointment with a doctor.

Call 01702 742105 to arrange an appointment with a doctor