NHS Islington...

Your local NHS

Get the right treatment

Pointing you in the right direction

In order to provide the best healthcare possible, NHS services are available in many different ways. You can choose from a range of healthcare options to ensure that you always get the right treatment for your needs.

Self help

A well stocked medicine cabinet will help you treat many everyday illnesses and minor ailments at home. For example, a small supply of paracetamol or ibuprofen and other remedies will help you treat common ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats, indigestion, toothache, headaches and constipation. If you have children, don't forget to include appropriate medicines for them. If your symptoms persist or worsen you should call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 or your GP practice.

Ask your pharmacist

Pharmacists (chemists) are experts on medicines and how they work. They can also offer advice on common complaints such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and other health issues, such as healthy eating and giving up smoking. They can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor. You can talk to your pharmacists in confidence - even about the most personal symptoms and you don't need to make an appointment.

Minor ailments scheme

Why wait to see your doctor? Minor ailments are conditions that can be self-treated with medicine available over the counter from your pharmacy.

The minor ailment scheme allows you easier access to the same advice, treatment and medicines from your pharmacist as you would get from your GP, without having to wait for a GP appointment. You can also get your medicines free if you are normally exempt from paying prescription charges!

Download the Minor Ailments Scheme leaflet for more information about the scheme.

NHS Direct

You can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 for confidential health advice and information 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are charged at local rates. The lines are staffed by nurses and professional advisors. NHS Direct has become a first point of contact for patients seeking medical help outside normal surgery hours. NHS Direct can offer you information on:

• What to do if you or a family member feels ill
• Particular health conditions
• Local health services (such as doctors, dentists or out-of-hours pharmacies)
• Self-help or support organisations

For patient safety, all calls are recorded. For deaf people or those hard of hearing there is a textphone service available on 0845 606 46 47. For those whose preferred language is not English, there is the choice of a confidential translation service. NHS Direct is also available on Freeview channel 108 and Sky Digital Interactive. Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for further information.

GP practices and health centres

Your local GP practice is often the first point of contact for a wide variety of treatment and further healthcare services. GPs work with a range of healthcare professionals including nurses, health visitors, mental health nurses and midwives.GP surgeries are particularly busy in the winter months so be sure to keep to your appointment time. If you need to cancel your appointment, you should always let your surgery know because missed appointments waste precious time and resources. GPs in Islington.

Urgent out-of-hours GP care

If you are in need of urgent care when your GP practice is closed, please contact Harmoni, the out of hours GP provider:

Tel: 020 7388 5800

Monday - Friday 6.30pm-8.00am
Weekends 24 hours
Bank holidays 24 hours

NHS Walk-in Centres

There are a number of NHS Walk-in Centres throughout England. You can search for your nearest Walk-in Centre on the NHS Choices website. They offer fast and convenient access to healthcare advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. They are open from early morning to late evening, seven days a week. They are run by experienced NHS nurses, and you don't need to make an appointment.

Barts Minor Injuries Unit

Located at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, West Smithfield, London EC1A 7BE. Map

The Minor Injuries Unit is staffed by nurse practitioners. They can treat injuries such as cuts and grazes, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, bites and stings, strains and sprains, minor head injuries, and minor eye or ear problems. If an injury requires a specialist opinion patients can be transferred to the A&E Department at The Royal London Hospital.

It is a walk-in service, so no appointment is needed. Patients are seen in order of urgency. The Minor Injuries Unit is open Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm. It is closed at weekends and on bank holidays.

Tel: 020 7601 7780 or 7407
More information and directions to the Barts Minor Injuries Unit

When to go to Accident and Emergency (A&E)

An emergency is a critical or life threatening situation such as:

• Loss of consciousness
• Heavy blood loss
• Suspected broken bones
• Persistent chest pain for 15 minutes or more
• Difficulty breathing
• Overdose, ingestion or poisoning

Remember to keep calm, do everything you can to help the person, but don't put yourself in danger and don't give the person anything to eat, drink or smoke.

You should get medical attention by either taking the patient to the nearest A&E department or by phoning 999 for an emergency ambulance. A&E departments are open 24 hours a day.

Unless you need emergency medical attention avoid local A&E departments. Doctors and nurses there are equipped to deal with serious cases of injury and illness, not routine and minor ailments. Calling an ambulance won't necessarily mean you are seen any quicker at A&E as the most serious cases are prioritised.

Local A&E units:

The Whittington Hospital, Magdala Avenue, N19 5NF. Map
Tel: 020 7272 3070.

University College Hospital, 235 Euston Rd, NW1 2BU. Map
Tel: 0845 155 5000.

Moorfields Eye Hospital (eye emegencies only), 162 City Rd, EC1V 2PD. Map
Tel: 020 7253 3411.