The below information will help you make the best choice. However, if you’re still unsure who to ask for help, just call NHS 111, or visit the NHS 111 website.
Emergency services
When to call 999 for an ambulance
If someone is in a life-threatening emergency, call 999. The role of the ambulance service and emergency departments is to treat people whose lives are at risk.
Life-threatening emergencies could include:
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- symptoms of stroke or sepsis
- serious allergic reactions
- trauma
- blacking out
- and other serious injuries or illnesses.
Visit the NHS website to learn when to call 999.
By carefully considering the best place to seek help for your injury or illness, you will assist the doctors and nurses in the emergency department to concentrate on treating those who need to be there.
When to go to an Emergency Department (A&E)
Emergency Departments (A&E) provide emergency care to people who have serious or life-threatening conditions. The role of the ambulance service and emergency departments is to treat people who’s lives are at risk.
There are five Emergency Departments across Norfolk and Suffolk:
Mental health crisis?
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 111 and select the ‘mental health option’.
This service is 24-hours a day, seven days a week for anyone currently experiencing a mental health crisis, or for anyone who is supporting someone in crisis and needs urgent help. This service is available to people of all ages.
If it’s not a crisis but you need mental health support, information can be found on our Mental health webpage.
Urgent services
Urgent dental care
If you think you need urgent care, contact your usual dentist if you have one, as some surgeries offer emergency dental appointments and will provide care if clinically necessary.
You can also contact NHS 111, who will put you in touch with an urgent dental service. Do not contact a GP as they cannot offer urgent or emergency dental care. NHS 111 can also offer other self-care advice.
If you are in pain while waiting to see a dentist, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, following the guidance from the patient information leaflet.
Only go to A&E for emergency dental care if you have:
- Severe swelling, or increasing swelling of your mouth, lips, throat, neck, or eye
- Heavy bleeding
- Injuries to your face, mouth, or teeth.
If you are not sure whether you should go to A&E, contact NHS 111, who will be able to advise you. Find your nearest Emergency Department here.
Find out more about local dental services. The NHS website also has information on how to find a dentist and what to do if you need urgent care.
When to use NHS 111
If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, contact NHS 111 first before attending one of our services.
If you’re not sure which service to use, or what might be open locally, call 111 first.
Trained NHS advisors can provide health advice, connect you to a healthcare professional, arrange a face-to-face appointment or give you an arrival time if you need to go to an Emergency Department.
This service operates 24/7 all year round (even on bank holidays). You will speak to a trained NHS advisor with local service information at their fingertips.
NHS 111 could also help organise an emergency NHS dental appointment. Please see more information on emergency dental care below.
Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for free on any mobile or landline.
Non-urgent services
When to visit your GP practice
If you have a medical issue that isn’t urgent or life-threatening, and you can’t treat the issue using self-care or by visiting a pharmacy, please contact your GP practice.
You can contact your surgery over the phone, online, or by visiting the practice. The reception staff are trained to ask you the right questions to help you to get an appointment with the right member of the general practice team for your clinical needs. All information they ask you to provide is treated confidentially.
GP practices offer face-to-face appointments, or you may be offered a telephone or video consultation depending on your clinical needs.
Check your practice’s opening times on their website, especially during bank holidays. Please use NHS 111 if they are closed and you need urgent health help.
Find out more about GP services.
Find a GP using our GP locator tool.
Think Pharmacy First
You can contact or visit your local community pharmacy to get help and support from a qualified healthcare professional for minor illnesses. Some are open evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
Pharmacy teams are trained to provide clinical advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they can point you to the right place.
Use the ‘Pharmacy First’ service to get help with a range of conditions. This service means you can pop into your local pharmacy without an appointment and have a private consultation with the pharmacist. If required, your pharmacist can even dispense antibiotics.
As part of the Pharmacy First service, your local pharmacist can help you or your family with:
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections
- Ear infections
- Impetigo
- Infected insect bites
- Shingles
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
Find a pharmacy in Norfolk or Suffolk and learn more about pharmacy services and opening hours.
Minor Injuries Units
There are two Minor Injuries Units in Norfolk.
The Norwich Practices Walk-in Centre at Rouen House on Rouen Road, Norwich, is open 7am to 7pm every day, including bank holidays.
This service can help with a range of minor injuries, including minor cuts and wounds, strains and sprains, skin complaints, and other minor injuries.
You will be triaged at the entrance and then treated or signposted elsewhere if necessary.
The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) based at Cromer Hospital on Mill Road is open every day, including Bank Holidays, from 8am to 7.45pm.
Patients can receive treatment for minor injuries such as minor wounds, burns, simple fractures, and broken or dislocated fingers.
Minor injuries unit contact details
The unit can advise over the phone if your injury is suitable for the MIU. Call to speak to one of the team before travelling to the MIU.
- Phone number:
- 01603 646230
Self-care
You can take care of minor illnesses and injuries, like cuts, grazes and upset tummies, at home. Keep your medicine cupboard stocked with useful medicines, such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies and diarrhoea relief. This will help you treat yourself or your family quickly when you need to.
NHS 111 might recommend you take care of yourself at home using your first-aid kit or over the counter medications. Please monitor your condition and if your symptoms change or get worse, call NHS 111 back who can advise further.
Many supermarkets and community pharmacies will have what you need and are often open during bank holidays.
