GP & acute care

Assessment and treatment of common acute illnesses and medical concerns, including fever, cough, respiratory infections, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms, urinary symptoms, headaches, skin conditions and other everyday medical problems.

GP consultations are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays.

The doctor checks how unwell you are, including your temperature, pulse and oxygen level, and examines your throat, ears and chest. Tests such as a flu or COVID-19 swab are done when they will change the treatment, not as a routine panel.

Most viral infections get better with rest, fluids and medicine for the symptoms. Antibiotics are prescribed only when a bacterial infection is likely. If a chest X-ray or hospital care is needed, we arrange it.

Assessment and treatment of asthma, wheeze and other respiratory symptoms. Treatment may include inhaled or nebulised therapy where clinically indicated, together with referral or escalation where a higher level of care is required.

For vomiting and diarrhoea, the doctor checks how dehydrated you are and whether you can keep fluids down. Most people can rehydrate by mouth with oral rehydration salts, with medicine to settle nausea where appropriate.

Abdominal pain has many causes. The doctor examines you, may test your urine, and decides whether it can be treated at the clinic or needs hospital tests or a surgeon. This first assessment does not always find the cause, so we tell you what to watch for and when to come back.

The doctor asks about your symptoms, tests your urine and checks for signs that the infection has spread to the kidneys or bloodstream. Treatment may include antibiotics, with a urine culture where it will guide the choice.

Sudden severe pain in the side or back that comes in waves can be caused by a kidney stone. The doctor gives pain relief and arranges a scan or hospital referral when needed. Pregnant women with urinary symptoms are assessed with extra care.

The doctor examines the rash or swelling, asks about possible triggers such as food, medicines or stings, and checks for any sign of a more serious reaction. Treatment may include antihistamines and, for some reactions, a short course of steroid tablets.

A severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is an emergency. If you have an adrenaline auto-injector, use it and call 995. Animal and human bites are covered under bites and puncture wounds.

The doctor asks about the pattern of your headaches, checks your blood pressure and does a neurological examination to look for warning signs. Most headaches, including tension headaches and migraine, can be treated at the clinic.

Treatment may include pain relief, anti-sickness medicine and migraine-specific medicines where appropriate, with advice on triggers and on avoiding headaches caused by taking painkillers too often. Headaches with worrying features are referred for urgent scans or to a neurologist.

If you think a medicine is causing side effects, or you are unsure whether two medicines can be taken together, bring all your medicines and supplements with you. The doctor reviews them, checks your symptoms and advises whether a medicine should be stopped, changed or continued.

We work with your regular doctor or specialist where their medicines are involved. Sleeping tablets, strong painkillers and other high-risk medicines are not refilled on request and need a proper review. Anyone who has taken too much of a medicine should go to A&E.

Medical certificates, medical reports, relevant medical forms, specialist referrals and further investigations following appropriate clinical assessment.