Medical Emergencies and Urgent Care

Out of Hours Services

The NHS pledges to provide services at a time that's convenient for you.

Outside normal surgery hours you can still phone the surgery, but you will be directed to the out-of-hours service. The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

If it is not an immediate emergency then please call NHS 111. 
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It can provide medical advice and details of the best local service that can provide care. Telephone consultations and triage (an assessment of how urgent your medical problem is) are an important part of all out-of-hours care.

For further information on the 111 Service please read the following document:

• NHS 111 Service

Ringmead Urgent Care initiative to help people make the right healthcare choices at the right time

Dated: 17-Oct-17

Doctors, pharmacists and emergency care leads are working with patients, families and carers in Bracknell to ensure that the right healthcare services are being used at the right time.

The work forms a part of Bracknell and Ascot Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) Ringmead Urgent Care initiative.

Over the next few months, healthcare professionals will be testing a range of initiatives with around 15,000 patients in the catchment area of the Ringmead Medical Practice in Birch Hill and Great Hollands Square, Bracknell. The initiative will see if communicating essential healthcare access information on services such as doctors and A&E helps to make a positive difference to people in the area.

• Read the full press release
  

Download the Ringmead Urgent Care Initiative keep at home information leaflet, which lists the local healthcare services you can access with their opening times and contact details.

Urgent Care not requiring a 999 call

You should use the NHS 111 service if you need urgent medical help or advice but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Call 111 if:

• you need medical help fast but it's not a 999 emergency
• you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
• you don't know who to call or you don't have a GP to call
• you need health information or reassurance about what to do next

For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist in the usual way.

If a health professional has given you a specific phone number to call when you are concerned about your condition, continue to use that number.

For immediate, life-threatening emergencies, continue to call 999.

How does it work?

The NHS 111 service is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers, supported by experienced nurses.

• They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms, then give you the healthcare advice you need or direct you straightaway to the local service that can help you best. That could be A&E, an out-of-hours doctor, an urgent care centre or a walk-in centre, a community nurse, an emergency dentist or a late-opening chemist.
• Where possible, the NHS 111 team will book you an appointment or transfer you directly to the people you need to speak to.
• If NHS 111 advisers think you need an ambulance, they will immediately arrange for you.

Bracknell Urgent Care Centre

Bracknell Urgent Care Centre, Brants Bridge, Bracknell

Phone: 01344 55 11 00

The UCC is a nurse led unit supported by a GP who is onsite at all times.

The Centre will treat most injuries and illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening. For example sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, bites and stings, persistent coughs, severe sore throats, rashes, infections and sudden worsening of long term conditions.

You don’t need to book an appointment – just turn up and you will be seen promptly by either a doctor or nurse. If you are not sure where to go talk to NHS 111 or call the centre before you walk in. Your symptoms will be assessed to make sure you get the right care.

Accident & Emergency Departments

Wexham Park Hospital, Wexham Street, Slough, SL2 4HL
Open 24 Hours a Day
Tel: 01753 634018

Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 4AN
Open 24 Hours a Day 
Tel: 0118 9878616

Frimley Park Hospital, Portsmouth Road Frimley, GU16 7UJ
Open 24 Hours a Day
Tel: 01276 604113

NHS Walk In Service

Upton Park Hospital, Albert Street, Slough Berks. Tel: 01753 635505.