See a Doctor or Healthcare Professional

Who should I See?

This may save you time in getting the help you need, and avoid arranging an unnecessary appointment with your Doctor.

Please consider what the best options for your healthcare are, based on the urgency of your condition and nature of your ailment. General Practice work in conjunction with other Primary Care providers such as Opticians and Pharmacists, who can deliver advice and treatment within the Community, so make sure you get to see the right person, at the right time, in the right place.

Have you tried self-care?
man and woman looking at a computer.

A range of common illnesses such as cold and flu and minor injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest. Many patients attend with conditions that would get better with self-care. Studies show that 25-40% of consultations with a GP are unnecessary so it would help if patients only booked an appointment with a GP if they really need to.

Examples of the ailments best treated by yourself are:

  • Upset stomach
  • Grazed knee
  • Common cold
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Colds & Flu

There are a wide variety of helpful Self Care information and resources available which could help you to treat your illness without the need for an appointment:

Self-Referral Services – No need to see a GP or Nurse you can refer yourself!
smiling woman

We have provided our patients with a list of services that you can self-refer to without the need to see a GP or Nurse. You can normally self-refer by phone, attend a drop in clinic or by completing a self-referral form which you can send via email or post to the service of your choice.

Get immediate help from your local Pharmacy

Visit a Pharmacy for healthcare advice without an appointment

It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete’s foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

Your local Pharmacist is able to help with minor cuts, sprains, aches and pains, colds and flu, headaches, rashes, cystitis, emergency contraceptive (most Pharmacies now offer this service) and other common conditions.

No appointment is necessary and your local Pharmacist is usually open late, is available at weekends and many public holidays. It will also save you making an appointment with your GP.

Please note during the current pandemic, physical distancing restrictions will be in place, it maybe more appropriate to telephone the pharmacy before attending.

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is an NHS service provided by your local community pharmacy (a pharmacy with a contract to provide NHS prescriptions and services).

  • If you have a minor illness, a pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice
  • You do not usually need an appointment and you can go to any pharmacy
  • Your pharmacist can give you advice for a minor illness, and medicine if they think you need it
  • They will set up a Patient Medication Record (PMR) to make a note of any advice and treatment they give you
  • You can ask to use the pharmacy’s consultation area or room if you want to speak to the pharmacist in private.

Who is the service for?


You can use NHS Pharmacy First Scotland if you are registered with a GP practice in Scotland or you live in Scotland. Speak to the pharmacy team if you need further details. Visitors to Scotland are excluded.


How does the service work?

  • Pharmacists and their teams are experts in medicines and can help with minor health concerns
  • A pharmacist can give you advice and treatment (if you need it)
  • for minor illnesses such as the following.

AcneHead lice
AllergiesHaemorrhoids (piles)
Athlete’s footHay fever
BackacheImpetigo
Blocked or runny noseIndigestion
Cold soresMouth ulcers
ConstipationPain
CoughPeriod pain
Cystitis (in women)Sore throat
DiarrhoeaThreadworms
EaracheThrush
EczemaWarts
HeadacheVerrucas
Medicines in Scotland: What is the right treatment for me?

Medicines are usually prescribed by a doctor. However, other healthcare professionals can also prescribe medicines (for example dentists and some nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists). In the video presentation “healthcare professional” is used to describe the person prescribing the medicine.

Treat Yourself Better

We support the campaign to encourage people to self-treat minor ailments such as colds and flu. The Treat Yourself Better Without Antibiotics website is full of information to help people understand when how long they can expect their symptoms to last for, when they need to see a doctor and when they would be better off visiting their local pharmacist for advice. 

Feeling low, anxious or stressed?

CWIC Mental Health

The ELHSCP CWIC Mental Health line is open from 9am to 4pm Monday to Friday. You don’t need a referral from a GP or other clinical professional to use it. It’s for anyone aged 18 and over.

Telephone: 01620 642 963

Eye Problems?

Community Optician

Whatever your eye problem your first port of call should be an Optometrist. An Optometrist is the best person to assess urgent eye problems, check for eye disorders and treat eye conditions. They have the professional training and necessary equipment to assess most eye problems.

Opticians can also refer patients to Hospital if and when appropriate.

Find a local Optician in your area (once you are linked to the NHS Inform page, select your local Health Board or local Authority to find an Optician near you).

Self-help guide: Eye problems

Find out more about your eye problems, when you can use self-care, and what to do if your condition worsens and you need medical help.

If you meet a set of criteria you may be entitled to a number of benefits when using NHS ophthalmic services. These could include free NHS eye examinations, NHS optical vouchers and refunds. This guide will explain these entitlements and who is eligible.

If you sustain an eye injury that requires immediate emergency treatment go to your nearest Accident and Emergency.

Dental Emergency?
Dentist with his patient

For dental emergencies, call the dentist with whom you are registered. You should receive a recorded message advising you of the arrangements that have been made for emergency cover. If you have not registered with a dentist, please try to do so as soon as possible. Dentist’s can perform an appropriate assessment and advise on necessary intervention including use of any antibiotics.

However, if you are unregistered currently and you require emergency treatment, you should contact NHS 24 on 111.

Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland

Dental emergencies are: acute dental pain, facial or oral swelling, bleeding from the mouth or trauma.

Do you need Social Care & Support?
Mother and child reading

There are lots of services which offer help and support to improve your quality of life and allow you to continue to live in your own home. For example, if you are elderly or disabled, have a long-term health condition or are unwell. However, it can sometimes be confusing to try to work out what help is available and who offers what services.

Need to speak with someone when the surgery is closed?

Call 111

Call handler at call centre

Call 111 when we are closed to speak to an NHS professional on any urgent health or medical issue.

Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.

You should call 111 if:

  • it’s not a 999 emergency
  • you think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service
  • you don’t think it can wait for an appointment with your GP
  • you don’t know who to call for medical help.

If you have an emergency please call 999

Medical emergencies can include:

Mental Health Crisis?

You should call 999 or go to A&E if you, or someone you know, experiences a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency. These are cases where there is immediate danger to life or physical injury. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself, you should call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.

Call the Samaritans

Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call us for free on 116 123.

It’s important to use A&E only for serious injuries and major emergencies.

For everything else, Minor Injury Units, out-of-hours services and your local pharmacy can also help.

Textphone and BSL users

If you use a textphone you can call NHS 24’s 111 services (18001 111).

If you’re deaf but want to use the phone service you can use the ContactSCOTLAND-BSL interpreting video relay service, available 24/7.

Find out more about the 111 service

Get immediate help for Minor Injuries (MIA)
Doctor dressing patients hand

If you have a minor injury please dial NHS 24 on 111 to be referred to the right service. They will arrange an appointment if you need to attend hospital. Or, if appropriate, they can schedule an appointment with Call MIA for a confidential assessment by video call with a qualified Nurse Practitioner.

This service can help patients aged 12 years and over quickly and easily with a recent minor injury including:

  • strains, sprains and suspected broken arms and legs
  • wounds and minor burns
  • minor bumps to head and face
  • simple eye injuries
  • insect bites and stings
Community Treatment and Care (CTAC)

CTAC  services include removal of sutures/staples after operations or injuries; wound care (including management of leg ulcers or wounds after surgery), ear syringing (following assessment by the team) and some blood tests requested by specialist hospital teams, for example Chemotherapy blood tests and Virtual Haematology bloods.

Tel: 0131 446 4227

Arrange an appointment with one of our Nursing team
British nurse taking senior man's blood pressure

Our Nurses are usually able to assess the situation and in some cases will organise initial blood tests and other investigations prior to arranging a follow up appointment with your doctor.

See a Nurse about: blood pressure checks, urine infection, cervical smears, dressings, family planning advice, contraceptives, minor injuries and ailments, immunisations, diabetes management, asthma care, COPD (heart) care, smoking cessation, free health checks for 40-70 year olds, travel advice,removal of stitches and clips etc.

Need medical advice or treatment from one of our doctors?
Doctor and little girl

Some patients, often those with complex and long-standing medical problems, may need an appointment with a doctor.