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Getting a check-up

You should go for a dental check-up every six months to make sure that there are no problems with your teeth or gums. Some dentists will delete you from their list of registered patients if you don't make an appointment within a certain period of time. If this happens, you'll have to register again with a new one.

Unless you have a specific medical condition that needs monitoring, you don't need to make a regular appointment for a check-up at your GP. But if you are planning to start exercising more regularly, or if you're planning to go travelling abroad, you should talk to your doctor about what this may mean for your health.

Making and keeping appointments

To make an appointment with a doctor or a dentist, you'll need to call the surgery.

If you make an appointment, make sure that you don't miss it. If you want to re-arrange an appointment, you should try and let the surgery know a couple of days before so they can give your slot to someone else.

Some dentists may charge you for missed appointments. Dentists and GPs may also remove you from their list of patients if you're always missing appointments.

Emergencies

If you're unable to get to a surgery because you're seriously ill, your doctor may be able to visit you at home. If you do phone up a surgery and ask for a home visit, you'll be asked questions to find out if the doctor needs to see you at home, or whether you should go to a hospital.

You may also want to visit the accident and emergency department of your nearest hospital if you're seriously ill or if you've had an accident. If there's no-one able to take you to hospital and it's an emergency, you can phone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

NHS Direct

If you want health information or advice, you can also contact NHS Direct. You can call 0845 4647, 24 hours a day, or you can go to the NHS Direct website. NHS Direct is useful if you've got a minor complaint like a cold, and want quick advice about the best way to get rid of it without having to make a doctor's appointment.

Trained nurses and health professionals answer all calls, and can give you advice if you or someone you know is unwell, as well as details of local health services in your area.

• NHS Direct Online Opens new window

Walk-in clinics

Even if you're registered with a GP, you may want to use a walk-in clinic. You can't make an appointment at a walk-in clinic and they work on a first-come, first-seen basis, meaning that you may have to wait for a long time before you are seen by someone.

Walk-in clinics can treat minor illnesses and injuries, and can give free and confidential advice on general health issues, including sexual health questions.

More useful links

• More information on health issues (health and well-being section)