A wide range of health care services are available in Norfolk and Waveney, providing the care you need to lead a healthy life.
No matter what time of the day you need help or advice, there is always a GP, nurse, pharmacist or other member of the healthcare team available.
You should always contact NHS 111, your local practice, or community pharmacist before accessing the emergency department for less urgent health issues.
NHS 111
The NHS111 service is open 24/7.
If you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do, contact NHS 111 first. Trained medical advisors will access your symptoms and direct you to the appropriate service.
They will help you get the right care in the right place, in a timely and safe way. Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111 or for help with an urgent medical problem, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GP Out of Hours
In Norfolk and Waveney there is a GP Out of Hours service, which is there for you and your family to use when you need urgent medical care at night, weekends, or on public holidays.
It provides patients with urgent access to general practice services outside of core working hours (6.30pm – 8am, Monday – Friday, and all-day Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays).
You can access this service by calling NHS 111.
GP practices
There are more healthcare professionals working in General Practice than ever before, helping you to get the right care by the right healthcare professional. You can find out more about the different roles in General Practice here.
Reception staff in GP practices are an integral part of the General Practice team. It is their job to ask you the right questions to make sure that you get an appointment with the right clinician as quickly as possible.
GP practices offer a range of appointments every day, including face-to-face, telephone, and video consultations.
Groups of practices are now working together to ensure you can be seen when you need to be, including mornings, evenings, and Saturdays through Enhanced Access appointments. These appointments may be at your registered practice, or another one in your local area – but it will still be with the best professional to support your needs. You may be offered an Enhanced Access appointment when you call your GP practice.
Pharmacy on your doorstep
Visit a pharmacy for expert help and advice on common conditions such as hayfever, skin complaints, tummy troubles, cold and flu remedies, cuts and bruises, insect bites, and medicines advice. They can provide timely health advice and can often suggest over-the-counter remedies to help you manage a range of minor illnesses at home.
Practices can also send prescriptions electronically to a local pharmacy for you to collect. Click here to find out more about Pharmacy Services.
Walk-In Centre and Minor Injuries Units
Walk-in Centres and Minor Injury Units are available provide care and treatment for patients whose minor injuries or illness are not severe enough to go to the emergency department.
Drop into the Norwich Walk-In Centre at Rouen House on Rouen Road in Norwich. Open between 7am and 9pm daily, it can help with minor cuts and wounds, strains and sprains and skin complaints.