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
If you have an urgent medical problem (that is not suitable for A&E) then please ring us. Everyone that calls us to request an appointment will have a telephone consultation with a doctor or nurse practitioner on the same day. If you think your problem is medically urgent, please tell the receptionist and they can arrange a prompt call back if necessary.
If the doctor or nurse practitioner needs to see you they will book an appointment for you, which will be on the same day if necessary. If you are asked to come in on the same day, then sometimes the doctor will only be able to deal with the urgent problem. If you have other problems then you may be asked to book a further appointment. Sometimes there can be a delay if it is busy or if the doctor has to deal with very ill patients, so please be prepared to wait.
If you are unsure whether a problem is urgent or if you just want advice, you can also 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 at:
- Manchester Royal Infirmary (use the A&E entrance) - 0161 276 5193
- Boots in the city centre (Market Street branch, use the entrance on Cross Street) - 0161 839 6227
- Ancoats Clinic (Old Mill Street, M4) - 0161 274 1640
Please ring to check their opening hours before attending.
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