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If you or someone at home has symptoms of COVID-19, follow the advice on the nhs.uk website.

If you are worried about symptoms and you need advice, visit the NHS 111 website. If you cannot get on-line, call NHS 111. Please do not visit a GP surgery or hospital.

For information about Covid treatments for high risk patients, click here.

Ill or injured, but not life threatening? Not sure where to turn? Then Click or Call First:

  • Click to find a Pharmacy (see pharmacy info below) – a great first port of call for minor health issues and advice on medicines. No appointment is needed.
  • For illnesses that won’t go away after self-care or advice from the Pharmacy – Click or Call your GP surgery. Use their website, the NHS app or phone them (see GP surgery services and GHAC info below).
  • The team will review your request to see if you need an urgent appointment.
  • If it’s urgent and your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 and they will make sure you get the care you need.
  • If you think you may need the Emergency Department or to get the right care 24/7, Click 111.nhs.uk or Call 111.
  • The 111 phone service is supported by a local doctor led assessment service.
  • 111 can arrange a call with a clinician, book you a GP appointment or an appointment at a community minor injury and illness unit (see CMIIU info below) or the Emergency Department where appropriate.
  • You can also Click or Call 111 for urgent mental health support.
  • The local ASAP Glos NHS website and app (download from Apple or Google Play stores) offer information on self-care, local services and when to use them…
  • …and you can download the NHS app to help you manage your health and care.

Find out more about our Click or Call First campaign here.

Image depicting the click or call first service

Community Pharmacy

Your local pharmacy is a great first port of call for advice on minor health issues.

They can help with things like:

  • aches and pains
  • allergies
  • bites and stings
  • colds and nasal congestion, sore throat or flu
  • cold sores and mouth ulcers
  • constipation
  • cystitis
  • dry/sore eyes
  • ear or headache
  • emergency contraception (morning after pill)
  • nappy rash and teething
  • skin irritations and acne
  • sprains
  • stomach upsets and diarrhoea
  • sunburn.

Pharmacists are highly qualified healthcare professionals, experts on medicines and can advise on whether you need to use another NHS service.

Many pharmacies on the high street and in supermarkets are open late and at weekends – no appointment is needed.

They also have consulting rooms if you want to talk to someone in private about your symptoms.

Click nhs.uk or the ASAP Glos NHS website or app for locations and opening hours.

Pharmacy First

Patients can now also get treatment for seven common conditions directly from their local pharmacy, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription.

It means that community pharmacists can supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat these health conditions without the need to visit a GP:

  • Sinusitis (12 years +)
  • Sore throat (5 years +)
  • Earache (1 – 17 years)
  • Infected insect bite (1 year +)
  • Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection) (1 year +)
  • Shingles (18 years +)
  • Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women (16 – 64 years)

You can get treatment for these conditions by walking into the pharmacy or contacting them virtually. GP receptionists and NHS 111 will also be able to direct patients to pharmacies that offer the service, if contacted.

Usual prescription charges will apply for the seven common conditions. Patients that were already exempt from prescription charges will still be exempt.

GP surgery services

If you have an illness that won’t go away after self-care or advice from the pharmacy – Click or Call your GP surgery. Use their website, the NHS app or phone them.

The team will review your request to see if you need an urgent appointment.

If you don’t have a GP, you can find how to access one here.

Your surgery can help with:

  • Infections that have taken a hold
  • A flare up of a long standing illness e.g. kidney or lung disease, bronchitis, asthma or diabetes
  • Problems with your mental health
  • Persistent joint and back pain.

If it’s urgent and your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 and they will make sure you get the care you need.

They can provide advice, arrange a call with a clinician or book you into NHS services.

The Gloucester Health Access Centre is also open 7 days a week (see below).

Gloucester GP Health Access Centre (GHAC)

The Gloucester Health Access Centre in Quayside House, Quay Street, Gloucester (GL1 2TZ) provides a range of GP care.

Opening hours:

  • Monday – Friday – 8am-8pm
  • Saturday – 8am-6pm
  • Sunday – 10am-6pm.

Ring in advance on 01452 336290 to check appointment availability.

Community Minor Injury and Illness Units (CMIIUs)

CMIIUs can treat children and adults for a range of minor injuries and illnesses, in a calm environment and there is free parking.

People are seen and treated promptly based on clinical need.

Staffed by highly trained nurses and paramedics, there are 6 units across the county and you don’t need to live in that area to use one.

The CMIIUs are open from 8am to 8pm every day, including weekends.

By using the 111 service, you can have a booked appointment at the most appropriate unit for your needs. It’s still possible to just walk in, but you may have to wait longer to be seen.

Information on locations, opening hours and the range of services provided is available here and here.

Minor Injury Units

There are also Minor Injury Units at Tetbury Hospital (open 8.30am to 4pm – Mon to Fri) and at Winchcombe Medical Centre (open 8.15am to 6.30pm – Mon – Fri).

To find out more about all the units above, click asapglos.nhs.uk or check the ASAP Glos NHS app.

Emergency care

If you have a life threatening emergency, you should call 999.

Emergency Department services in the county also provide care for people with serious injuries and life threatening conditions.

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital (GRH) in Gloucester – there is a 24-hour consultant-led emergency department including 999 ambulances, GP referrals, children’s emergencies and maternity care.

Cheltenham General Hospital (CGH) – there is a consultant-led service at CGH, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. There is an overnight nurse led service – 8pm to 8am, 7 days a week. During this overnight period, ‘blue light’ emergencies (i.e. life threatening conditions and serious injuries) are treated at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

The latest information about Emergency Department services at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General Hospitals is available here.

Mental Health advice and support

For advice on the support and care available in Gloucestershire, including support in a Crisis, please visit www.bewellglos.org.uk.

You can also Click or Call 111 for urgent mental health support.

Further information about local services can be found in our Gloucestershire Winter Plan.