Need help fast?

The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is making it easier for you to get help when you need it quickly, for situations when it isn’t life threatening, with two simple steps.

Learn more about the two steps, the services you will benefit from by following them, and other local services.

We also want to hear your thoughts on our two-step approach, as well as your experiences and views of services where you might get same-day care or advice, such as GP practices and pharmacies. Your feedback will help us improve these services for everyone.

Step 1: Try self care first

If your problem is minor and you haven’t been able to treat it yourself at home, try:

These services are quick, easy, and often all you need.

Step 2: Need more help?

If it’s more serious or Step 1 didn’t work:

They’ll help book the right appointment for you.

If it’s a life or limb-threatening emergency, go straight to the closest emergency department or call 999.

In a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you need to be seen on the same day

If you need to be seen on the same day, your GP practice or NHS 111 will arrange an appointment for you in one of four places:

Your own GP practice
A pharmacy (Pharmacy First)
An urgent treatment centre
An urgent care centre, or another GP practice or health centre (during evenings, weekends and bank holidays).

Our aim is for general practice and NHS 111 to be the gateway for the right care. This will allow us to understand the symptoms of every patient so the right appointment is booked. This reduces the need to travel to walk-in services that might not be suitable or have long waiting times.

Right Care, Right Place

Right care, right place is all about matching you, and every patient, to the right level of care, from the right health professional, in the right part of the NHS, first time – when you need help quickly.

This is important so NHS resources are used in the best way to help everyone in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland get the care they need as quickly as possible.

Making general practice and NHS 111 the gateway to care will ensure we understand the symptoms of every patient, so the right appointment is booked. This reduces the need to travel to walk-in services that might not be suitable or have long waiting times.

You should only use 999 or go to the emergency department in a life or limb-threatening emergency. If you go to the emergency department and it isn’t the right place for you, you may be asked to use another service instead. If it isn’t life threatening, you are advised to use your GP practice or NHS 111 before setting out.

Digital first where you can

The NHS is introducing more and more digital and online ways to use the NHS – for appointments, medication and information. We know this won’t be suitable for everyone, but where you can, we ask that you consider whether there is a digital option you can use, first. This will free up traditional methods of using the NHS, for example telephone lines, for people who aren’t able to use digital options.