Urgent help and out of hours

This page tells you where to get help quickly. Start at the top and stop at the first section that fits.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

A&E means accident and emergency. Call 999 or go to A&E if you or someone else has:

  • chest pain, pressure or tightness that does not go away
  • signs of a stroke: face drooping on 1 side, cannot lift both arms, slurred or strange speech
  • severe difficulty breathing, gasping or unable to speak
  • heavy bleeding that will not stop
  • passed out and cannot be woken (is unconscious)
  • a severe allergic reaction: swollen lips, mouth, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing
  • a seizure (fit) that does not stop, or a first seizure
  • tried to end their life, or seriously harmed themselves

Think FAST for a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech, Time to call 999.

A mental health emergency is as serious as a physical one. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger.

If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

Urgent advice: Ask us for an urgent appointment today if:

  • you are unwell and it cannot wait until tomorrow
  • your symptoms are getting worse quickly
  • you are worried about a baby or child who is unwell
  • someone you care for has suddenly become much less well

If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6:30pm. Tell the receptionist it is urgent.

The receptionist, or 111, may book you a same-day appointment at a local hub. The hubs are at Harold Hill Health Centre, Rosewood Medical Centre, Petersfield Medical Centre and St George's.

Do not use our online request form for urgent problems. Phone us instead.

Non-urgent advice: When we are closed

When we are closed, call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab).

NHS 111 is free and open 24 hours a day, every day. Use 111 online if you are aged 5 or over. Call 111 for a child under 5.

111 will ask you some questions and tell you what to do. They may arrange for you to see a doctor or nurse, or tell you where to go.

Evening and weekend appointments

You can book an appointment on a weekday evening or at the weekend. This service is called Extended Access.

The appointments are at Rosewood Medical Centre, 30 Astra Close, Elm Park, Hornchurch RM12 5NJ, not at our surgery.

Extended Access is open:

  • Monday to Friday, 6pm to 10pm
  • Saturday, 9am to 5pm
  • Sunday, 10am to 2pm

To book, call our reception on 01708 552 072.

Your pharmacy

A pharmacist can help with many common illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats and earache. You do not need an appointment. Some pharmacies open late and at weekends.

Who provides care when we are closed

Out-of-hours care is provided by PELC (Partnership of East London Co-operatives). It is arranged by NHS North East London Integrated Care Board, not by our surgery. Call 111 to reach it.

Urgent treatment centre

An urgent treatment centre treats injuries and illnesses that need help today but are not life-threatening. For example, sprains, cuts, minor burns, and infections that are getting worse.

Our nearest ones are:

  • Queen's Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, Rom Valley Way, Romford RM7 0AG. Open 24 hours a day, every day.
  • Harold Wood Polyclinic Urgent Treatment Centre, St Clements Avenue, Harold Wood RM3 0FE. Open 8am to 9pm, every day. This is also the walk-in centre.

Find an urgent treatment centre (opens in a new tab)

Mental health crisis

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

If you need urgent help but it is not life-threatening:

If you are under 18, or worried about a child, call 111 and choose the mental health option. Ask for the crisis team for children and young people (CAMHS).

When we are open, you can also call us on 01708 552 072 and ask for an urgent appointment today.

Dental emergencies

GP surgeries do not treat dental problems. Call your dentist first. If you do not have one, or they are closed, call 111.

Find an NHS dentist (opens in a new tab)

If you are not sure what to do

If you need help today, call us on 01708 552 072 when we are open.

When we are closed, call 111 or go to 111.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab).

Check your symptoms and find out what to do (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)