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Get to know where to go for urgent and emergency services

In this section:

 

Greater Manchester's Urgent Dental Service

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If you have pain in your mouth, teeth or gums, you will need to contact a dentist – your GP practice won’t be able to help.

Contact your regular dentist, if you have one. If they’re closed, or you do not have a regular dentist, call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on: 0333 332 3800.

This service is available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays. Please be aware that this service can be busy, you may need to wait however your call will always be answered.

When you call, you will be assessed by a healthcare professional who may provide you with self-care advice for your symptoms, give safe pain relief advice, or book you a face-to-face appointment if needed. This can be at a location across Greater Manchester and you will be offered one that is most convenient for you.

The service operates on an appointment only basis. It does not offer a drop-in service and does not offer routine care or check-ups.

There is an NHS patient charge of £26.80 for each appointment with this service but is free to children.

 

Greater Manchester’s Urgent Eyecare Service

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This service is suitable for patients experiencing a range of recently occurring conditions such as a sudden loss of vision, red or painful eyes or eyelids, flashes and floaters or a foreign body in the eye.

The service is available to anyone registered with a Greater Manchester GP practice and aims to deliver quick community-based assessments and treatment from local optician teams and can avoid a GP visit or attending a hospital A&E department.

The service is available throughout the week and, in some places, at weekends and evenings.  Always call first as this is not a walk-in service.

Find a participating practice near you.

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GP out of hours service

The GP out-of-hours service is there if you need urgent medical care when your GP practice is closed. For details on how to access the service, call your practice and listen to the recorded message.

When you call the service, you may be given advice over the phone or a face-to-face appointment.

Urgent care

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Urgent treatment centres or walk-in centres are there if you need urgent medical help that’s not serious or life-threatening.

In areas where there is no urgent treatment centre or walk-in centre, there are still local health services there to help.

Conditions that can be treated at an urgent treatment centre or walk-in centre include:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Suspected broken limbs
  • Minor head injuries
  • Cuts and grazes
  • Bites and stings
  • Minor scalds and burns
  • Ear and throat infections
  • Skin infections and rashes
  • Eye problems
  • High temperature in children and adults
  • Stomach pain
  • Emergency contraception

If you’re not sure where to go, or to find out if there’s an urgent treatment or walk-in centre in your area, visit NHS 111.

Mental health crisis support

Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option if you, or someone you know, is in a mental health crisis. Available 24/7, you’ll speak to a mental health professional who can help you find the right support.

If there’s an immediate risk to life ring 999 or go to A&E.

NHS 111 offers a British Sign Language (BSL) service that is open 24/7.

If you have a hearing problem, use text relay. Call 18001 111 using the Relay UK App or a text phone.

For more details of mental health support where you live, visit our mental health support site.

A&E/999

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A&E departments (also known as emergency departments or casualty) are there for serious or life-threatening health conditions only.

These conditions include:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Sudden confused state
  • Fits that are not stopping
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Severe bleeding that won’t stop
  • Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
  • Severe burns or scalds
  • Major trauma such as a road traffic accident
  • Feelings of self-harm or suicide

Call 999 if it is an emergency and someone’s life is at risk. This may include:

  • A suspected heart attack or stroke
  • An overdose
  • A serious injury such as a road traffic accident, a serious head injury, a fall from height or a stabbing or shooting

The 999 call advisor will ask you some questions and decide if an ambulance is needed.

All patients are assessed when they arrive at A&E (including those who have come by ambulance) and people with the most serious conditions will be seen first.

If you do need to go to A&E, they will give you an arrival time, which may mean a shorter wait.

If you’re not sure where to go visit NHS 111 online.

NHS 111

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If you’re not sure what to do or where to go, go to NHS 111 online. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year.

How NHS 111 online works

If you visit NHS 111 online you’ll be asked to enter your age, sex, postcode and main symptom.

You are then asked a series of questions about your health problem.

You can:

  • find out how to get the right healthcare in your area, including whether you need to see a GP or seek urgent care
  • get advice on self-care

NHS 111 online is the the quickest and easiest way to get the help you need.

Call 111 instead if you:

  • need help for a child under 5
  • have complex problems caused by an existing medical condition
  • have a care plan from your doctor for your current health problem
  • need to get end-of-life care
  • aren’t able to use the NHS online service

NHS 111 offers a British Sign Language (BSL) service that is open 24/7.

If you have a hearing problem, use text relay. Call 18001 111 using the Relay UK App or a text phone.

 

Get to know where to go logo with each word on a different coloured arrow pointing in various directions

When you use the right NHS service, you get the right treatment sooner.

The first thing you should know is which service you should use for your symptoms.

This booklet shows the range of NHS services available to you and your family. Keep it handy, so when you’re not feeling well, or need treatment straight away, you know where to go.

If you’re not sure what to do or where to go, go to NHS 111 online.

Download our latest Get To Know Where To Go Booklet Download our latest Get To Know Where To Go Booklet

Get To Know Where to Go for:

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Primary care

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Minor illnesses

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Mental health support

While you wait

Information, advice and resources to help you manage your physical and mental wellbeing while waiting for hospital care.

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Find a service

Our A-Z has details of health and care services near you.

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