Do I Need To See A Doctor?

This page is designed to help cut down unneeded appointments and to free up spaces for more urgent cases. We aim to do this by providing you with information and supporting links for treatments for some of the most common conditions that we see, day in day out in general practice, as well as what to do in more serious and emergency situations in order to get the most appropriate help in the least time possible.

Do I Need To See A Doctor?

Symptom Checker

It may be frustrating to ring up for an appointment only to find out that we haven't got any available to pre-book for a week or so, but there are, in some case, alternatives to seeing a doctor. There are many other ways to access medical help, that may be more appropriate to your needs.

• Medical advice? Call 111 
• Need the morning after pill (emergency contraception)? Family Planning clinics at Boston - Address: Lincoln Lane, Boston PE21 8RU
  Phone:01522 308800
   
  
• Common conditions information - See the patient.info symptom checker website.
• Dental problems? See your dentist. GPs are advised not to treat patients with dental conditions. If you are not registered with a dentist, you can ring NHS 111 for more information on your nearest facility
• Accident or injury, or think you may need an X-ray? Minor Injuries Unit at Johnson's Community Hospital, Spalding Or A&E at the Pilgrim Hospital, Boston.
• Chest pain, suspected stroke, bleeding or other life threatening emergencies? Ring 999
  
• Unsure of your symptoms? 

" Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that our local pharmacist could resolve.
It's estimated 50 million visits to the GP are made every year for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema and athlete's foot .But by visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Instead of booking and waiting for a GP appointment, you can visit your local pharmacist any time – just walk in.
All pharmacists can recognise many common health complaints. They can give advice or, where appropriate, medicines that will help clear up the problem.
If your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP instead.
What's more, many pharmacies are open in the evenings and on the weekends.
If everybody went to a pharmacist with common health problems, more time would be freed up for our GPs. This might make it easier to get a convenient appointment with your GP next time you need one.
So, if you have a common health problem, a trip to your local pharmacy is an option.
Your pharmacist may be able to help with:

• skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
• coughs and colds, including nasal congestion and sore throat
• minor cuts and bruises
• constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
• hay fever and allergies
• aches and pains, such as headaches, earache and back pain
• indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• period pain and thrush
• warts and verrucas, mouth ulcers and cold sores
• athlete's foot
• nappy rash and teething
  

Some pharmacies also provide truss fittings, stoma products and incontinence supplies.
Go to your GP or a walk-in centre for:

• wound and dressing care
• muscle and joint injuries, including strains and sprains
• minor lacerations and cuts
• infected wounds

Go to A&E for the following:

• head injuries or loss of consciousness
• suturing (stitches)
• foreign bodies
• suspected broken bones or heavy blood loss
• persistent chest pain or difficulty breathing
• overdose or poisoning

If an injury is not serious, you can get help from a minor injuries unit (MIU), rather than going to an A&E department. "

Information taken from NHS Choices website

Should I Be Worried About My Child?

Please click the link to download a helpful booklet on the common infections, coughs, colds, sore throats and ear aches. This could help you understand them better and give you more knowledge of how to help your child yourself to get better. 

Information sourced from patient.info and NHS Choices