Other NHS Services
While your GP practice is your main front door to the NHS, there are a number of other services available that may be able to help you. Some of these services may be emergency or out of hours services for when we’re not open.
We may book you into one of these services, or ask you to book yourself if a GP appointment isn't the best solution for you.
Below we take you through some of these different services and what they do.
We are part of the Lewisham Alliance Primary Care Network (PCN). A PCN is a group of GP practices within a local area that work together to provide the best possible care to the communities they serve.
For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, call 999 right away. If you call the practice in an emergency, we will ask you to phone 999 or call them on your behalf.
Learn more111 is the NHS non-emergency number. You should call 111 if we are closed or if you can’t get through to us for any reason. You can call 111 for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Learn moreA&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only, such as broken bones, deep tissue wounds or emergency conditions (e.g. heart attack or stroke). NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help but you’re not sure if you should go to A&E.
Learn moreIf you need medical help and it is not a life-threatening emergency, you can visit an urgent care or walk-in service. Urgent care providers are open for at least 12 hours every day (usually 8am to 8pm), including bank holidays.
If you need mental health help and the surgery is closed, there are NHS or charitable mental health services, including 24-hour urgent mental health helplines, available. If you think that you or someone you know might hurt themselves or someone else, call 999 or go to A&E right away.
Learn moreYour local pharmacy is a great place to seek advice about medications and minor ailments, and can often resolve these queries faster than seeking help through your practice.
For minor eye problems, it's often best to visit an optician rather than your GP surgery. Your optician will have the experience and the equipment to properly examine your eye and understand any issues. If you have a more serious eye problem, it may be best to visit A&E or an urgent care centre.
Learn moreWe can give you information and advice about sexual health and contraception, however, it may be quicker and easier to go to a local sexual health clinic. Testing for STIs including HIV and some forms of contraceptive such as implants must be done at a sexual health clinic.
The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. If you would like to become a blood donor, or just to find out more about how the donation process works, click Learn more.
Organ donation is when you decide to give an organ to save or transform the life of someone else. If you would like to become an organ donor, or just to find out more about what is involved in organ donation, click Learn more.
Learn moreIf you’ve been referred to a specialist by your GP, you can now book your own first hospital or clinic appointment through the NHS e-Referral Service. You can book, check, change and cancel your appointments online.
Screening is a way of identifying early signs of particular conditions, such as cervical, breast or bowel cancers. If you receive an invite for a screening it's important that you attend so that in case you are at risk, early treatment, advice and support can be offered.
Learn moreThe 2WW urgent suspected cancer referral system allows any patient with symptoms that may indicate cancer to be seen as quickly as possible. Your GP may refer you because they are concerned about your symptoms and want a specialist opinion. Most people will not have cancer, but if you do, early diagnosis and treatment are important.
Learn moreThere's a number of ways you can book an appointment, such as: phoning us, using our online portals, or visiting the practice in person.
While your GP practice is your main front door to the NHS, there are a number of other services available that may be able to help you.
Online services allow you to directly access some services using your computer, tablet or smartphone.
There are some great self help resources available for you to use. You’ll find a variety of tips and guides to help you look after yourself.