In an emergency
After surgery hours
When the practice is closed, you can find other sources of help, please see: when we are closed.
Serious accident or medical emergency
If you have an accident or medical emergency, you should call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Ambulance staff provide emergency care on location and, if necessary, take people to the hospital Accident and Emergency (A&E) department (also called the "Casualty" department).
- A&E is for injuries and serious problems requiring immediate treatment. Anyone who has an accident or emergency should go there. Otherwise, please try another source of help.
- A&E departments are always busy so expect to wait for several hours for treatment.
- The nearest A&E department to the practice is at Manchester Royal Infirmary. The entrance to A&E is near to Upper Brook Street. View map.
For further information, please see the NHS Choices website for details on the Ambulance Service and What is an emergency.
Urgent medical problem during opening hours
There are times when a medical problem can't wait for the next routine appointment, but it's also something that's not suitable for A&E. For these situations, we have an 'emergency surgery' each morning and afternoon. Please phone the practice on 0161 225 6699 and explain the problem to the receptionist. They will make arrangements for a doctor or nurse to see or speak to you on the same day.
Emergency appointments are five minutes and are for one problem only. Sometimes the emergency doctor has to deal with very ill patients and this can cause a delay, so please be prepared to wait.
If you are unsure whether a problem is urgent, you can phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
Emergency contraception
For further details please see: emergency contraception.
Other sources of urgent help
NHS Direct
This is a 24-hour telephone advice service staffed by specially trained nurses every day of the year. Phone 0845 4647 for advice or visit the NHS Direct web site.
Pharmacists
- Pharmacists (chemist shops) can provide advice and treatment for a wide variety of medical problems.
- Many pharmacists are open longer hours than the surgery.
- Pharmacists are highly trained professionals that provide advice on a wide range of problems.
- They can be particularly hepful for advice about colds, flu, sore throats, ear ache or coughs.
- They can also advise on regular medication and ways to stop smoking.
For further information on your nearest pharmacies, see the NHS website: Service search.
Walk-in centres
- NHS Walk-in centres provide advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses (coughs, colds, infections) and minor injuries (strains, sprains, cuts).
- Many centres are open from early morning to late evening, seven days a week.
- The centres are run by experienced NHS nurses and some have doctors available.
- No appointment is needed.
For further information on the nearest Walk-in centre, see the NHS website: Service search. There are walk-in centres in Piccadilly, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Ancoats Clinic and Withington.
The Robert Darbishire Practice and The University of Manchester are not responsible for the content of external internet sites.