How the out-of-hours service works

Our Primary Care Trust commissions out-of-hours services which means that you may see a doctor you do not know on night visits or weekends, but be assured that they will have the resources necessary to treat you quickly and efficiently.

The duty doctor will telephone you within an hour, or more quickly if necessary - if the service is particularly busy this time limit could be extended to two hours.  It may be that the doctor can answer your queries and help you deal with your problems over the telephone. If you need to see the doctor, the doctor may ask you to visit the out-of- hours centre.

If you are bed-bound by your illness or genuinely housebound, the doctor will visit you at home.

Do I really need to see a doctor?

The provision of an out-of-hours service costs local health authorities a lot of money and its resources are stretched by inappropriate use and patients who really need attention might have to wait longer.

Please use this service only for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until the next surgery.  Other people's lives may depend on a doctor being present.

Harmoni

Used appropriately, Harmoni is an excellent service available to you. Patients and carers can make the best use of their out-of-hours service by recognising that Harmoni operates to deal only with those medical problems which are urgent.  Out-of-hours problems should be those which have begun out of hours or are worsening to the extent that you do not feel they can wait until we are next open.

NHS Direct

At all other times, NHS Direct 0845 46 47 can tell you what to do if you or your family are feeling ill.

Depending upon what is wrong with you, NHS Direct could tell you how to self-care, get in touch with the out of hours GP service, go to a walk-in centre or go to hospital.

NHS Direct may need to call an ambulance for you if they think you need help quickly.

Should I call 999?

Please only dial 999 or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency if the illness or injury is life threatening or can't wait. You should dial 999 immediately if you or someone else is seriously ill. For example if someone

• has had a major accident
• has problems with breathing
• has severe chest pains
• is unconscious
• has lost a lot of blood