The information below will help you decide which health care service is most appropriate.

GP Out-of-Hours

You should contact GP Out-of-Hours if you (or a member of your family) are ill at night, at the weekend or on bank holidays and cannot wait to see your own GP during normal GP Surgery hours. GP Out-of-Hours is available when your GP Surgery is closed. This can vary slightly in areas but is usually between 6.00pm and 8.00am on weekdays, all weekend and bank holidays.

Contact details for GP Out-of-Hours in your area

Self-Care

Some self-care advice is available on the NHS Direct website.

NHS Direct

Minor Ailment

For minor ailments such as hay fever, cold, sort throats etc it is possible to go direct to a pharmacy without an appointment.

Minor Ailments Service

Dental treatment

Your dentist will normally provide out-of-hours information on the telephone answering machine. Relief of dental pain services are also available in some areas.

Emergency relief of dental pain

Do you need an emergency service? It is important to choose the most appropriate emergency service. What is an emergency? Ambulance Service – dial 999 The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service provides ambulance services in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service How to use your emergency ambulance service Accident and Emergency Departments Some hospitals have 24 hour Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) where you can turn up without an appointment. You may have to wait, even if your injuries are serious, before being seen by a doctor or nurse. Location of Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments in Northern Ireland Minor Injuries Units Minor Injuries Units are for less serious injuries such as sprains, cuts and grazes. You do not need an appointment. Location of Minor Injuries Units in Northern Ireland