Website of the UK government

How to find an NHS service

To find doctors, dentists, opticians, chemists/pharmacies, NHS walk-in centres, hospitals and a range of other services in your area in England, visit the NHS Choices website or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

• Find your local health services on NHS Choices Opens new window

Your doctor/general practitioner (GP)

Your local doctor's (GP) surgery provides:

• general medical advice and treatment
• prescriptions
• referral to a specialist or a hospital
• immunisations
• tests

To register with a doctor's surgery, talk to the receptionist. They can tell you whether you live in the area the surgery covers and whether it has room for new patients.

If you're registering a new baby, you'll need to fill in the registration card you receive from the registrar when you register your baby's birth, and take it to your doctor's surgery.

• Find a local GP Opens new window
• More about your local doctor's services

NHS dentists

You don't need to wait until you have toothache to visit the dentist. In fact, a check-up every six months will help to prevent any major problems developing.

To find your nearest NHS dentist accepting new patients, visit the NHS Choices website or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

• Find a local NHS dentist Opens new window
• More about dentists and dental care

Chemists and pharmacists

Pharmacists, or chemists as they are often called, are experts on medicines. They will prepare prescriptions for you as issued by your doctor.

You may need to pay for your medication or you may be eligible for free prescriptions - your doctor can tell you. Remember to take ID with you to the chemists if you are eligible for free prescriptions.

Pharmacists can also give advice on treatments that can be bought over the counter.

To find your nearest pharmacist, visit the NHS Choices website or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

• Find a local pharmacy Opens new window
• More about pharmacists

NHS walk-in centres

These centres offer confidential advice and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses. Staffed by experienced nurses, they are open seven days a week, from early until late, and you don't need an appointment.

To find out where your nearest NHS walk-in centre is, visit the NHS Choices website or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

• Find your nearest NHS walk-in centre Opens new window
• More about NHS walk-in centres Opens new window

Accident and emergency / 999

If you are seriously ill and need emergency care, you can go straight to an accident and emergency (A&E) department at a hospital near you.

Alternatively, you can call 999 for an emergency ambulance.

• Find your nearest accident and emergency department (A&E) Opens new window
• More about accidents, emergencies and first aid

Health visitors and community nurses

Health visitors are specially trained nurses who provide advice and support in the community for people whose health may be vulnerable.

If you have a child under the age of five you will usually be assigned a health visitor when your baby is about 10 days old. If this doesn't happen, contact your GP surgery and they will let the local health visitor know.

If you or a member of your family need nursing care or support at home, a community nurse or health visitor could help. The people they work with could be ill or disabled or have physical or mental health problems.

• More about caring for a baby (parents section)
• Your child's health (parents section)
• Community nurses and health visitors (disabled people section)

Organisations and charities

Many people visit websites run by charities or voluntary organisations who are experts on a particular medical impairment or disability.

As well as detailed information about the causes and effects of conditions, these sites provide information about treatments, medication, equipment, alternative therapies (where appropriate), self-help and support groups.

They also often act as a way to share views with other people via message boards and forums. Many organisations produce newsletters or magazines that you can subscribe to. You can find more details in the useful contacts section.

• Health and well-being contacts (useful contacts section)

More useful links

• How the NHS works Opens new window
• NHS Choices website Opens new window