Who to see

Not every problem needs a GP. This page tells you who is best to see for common problems, and what you can do yourself.

Immediate action required: If it's a life-threatening emergency, call 999

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).

Who is who

At the surgery:

GP (doctor): diagnoses and treats illness, and refers you to hospital or other services.
Practice nurse: vaccinations, cervical screening, contraception, dressings, and checks for long-term conditions like asthma and diabetes.
Healthcare assistant: blood tests, blood pressure checks, injections, dressings, and diet and lifestyle advice.
Clinical pharmacist: reviews your medicines.
Reception team: forms, letters, sick note requests, joining the surgery, and general questions.

Outside the surgery:

Pharmacy (chemist): advice and treatment for many common illnesses. No appointment needed.
Dentist, optician, sexual health clinic and health visitor: you can go to these directly.
Urgent treatment centre: injuries and illnesses that need help today but are not life-threatening.

To book with a nurse, healthcare assistant or pharmacist, call us on 01708 552 072 or send a request online (opens in a new tab). Find out how to ask for an appointment

A

Abdominal (tummy) pain

Who to see: GP.

Find out about stomach ache (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Abortion (ending a pregnancy)

Who to see: a sexual health clinic. They will talk through your options with you. If you decide to end the pregnancy, they can arrange a hospital appointment.

Alcohol

Who to see: Alcoholics Anonymous can support you to stop drinking. Call them free on 0800 9177 650.

Anxiety

Who to see: GP. See also Mental health, below.

Get help with anxiety, fear or panic (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Asthma

Who to see: practice nurse for routine asthma checks.

If you are having a severe asthma attack and your inhaler is not helping, call 999.

Find out about asthma (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Athlete's foot

Who to see: pharmacy.

Find out about athlete's foot (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

B

Back pain

Who to see: pharmacy for pain relief, or our physiotherapist, who is at the surgery on Fridays. Book through reception. See a GP if it has not improved after 7 days.

Find out about back pain (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Blood pressure check

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant. Many pharmacies also offer a free check if you are aged 40 or over. If your blood pressure is high, you will need a GP appointment.

Blood tests

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant. A doctor, nurse or other healthcare professional must ask for the test first.

Blue Badge (disabled parking)

Who to see: your local council, not the surgery. The Blue Badge scheme is for people with severe mobility problems.

Apply for a Blue Badge (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)

Boils

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about boils (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Breastfeeding

Who to see: your health visitor.

Breathlessness or hyperventilation

Who to see: GP. If you are struggling to breathe, call 999.

Find out about shortness of breath (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Bruised or broken ribs

Who to see: pharmacy for pain relief. Ask us for an appointment if you have difficulty breathing, or go to an urgent treatment centre.

Burns and scalds

Who to see: practice nurse for a minor burn. Go to an urgent treatment centre if it is severe.

C

Cellulitis (a skin infection)

Who to see: GP.

Find out about cellulitis (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Cervical screening (smear test)

Who to see: practice nurse (female). When you get your invitation, book on a day when you are not bleeding.

Find out about cervical screening (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Chest infection

Who to see: GP if it lasts more than 1 week, or if you have asthma or another chest condition.

Find out about chest infections (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Chest pain

Call 999 if the pain is severe, or does not go away. If it is mild and has lasted a few days, ask us for an appointment.

Find out about chest pain (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Colds

Who to see: pharmacy. Antibiotics do not help a cold, because colds are caused by a virus.

Find out about the common cold (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Cold sores

Who to see: pharmacy.

Find out about cold sores (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Constipation or piles

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 1 week.

Contraception

Who to see: GP for your first appointment. After the first 3 months, the practice nurse can give repeat prescriptions and injections. For a coil or implant, see the practice nurse, a GP or a sexual health clinic.

Please make sure your cervical screening is up to date.

Cough

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 3 weeks.

Find out about coughs (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Cystitis

See Urine infections, below.

D

Dementia (memory problems)

Who to see: GP.

Find out about dementia (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Dental and mouth problems

Who to see: your dentist. Our doctors do not treat dental problems. A pharmacy can help with minor mouth problems.

If you do not have a dentist, or need one urgently, call 111.

Find an NHS dentist (opens in a new tab)

Depression

Who to see: GP. See also Mental health, below.

Find out about depression (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Diabetes checks

Who to see: practice nurse, healthcare assistant or GP.

Find out about diabetes (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Diarrhoea and vomiting

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 7 days. Babies and toddlers should see a GP sooner.

Also see a GP if you work with food, or care for other people.

Find out about diarrhoea and vomiting (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Diet and weight

Who to see: healthcare assistant or practice nurse.

Get help with a healthy weight (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Dizziness

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant first, then a GP if needed.

Find out about dizziness (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Dressings, stitches and wounds

Who to see: the Havering wound care clinic at Rosewood Medical Centre or Petersfield Medical Centre. This includes dressings, infected wounds and having stitches taken out.

Book an appointment at the Havering wound care clinic (opens in a new tab)

Drugs

Who to see: Talk to Frank gives free, confidential advice about drugs. Call 0300 123 6600. For alcohol, see Alcohol, above.

Get advice about drugs from Talk to Frank (opens in a new tab)

DWP letters for PIP or ESA

We cannot provide extra letters of support for benefit claims. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) asks us for medical information directly. You can ask us for a free copy of your medical records if that would help.

These organisations can help with a claim:

E

Earache

Who to see: GP. A pharmacy can treat children aged 1 to 17.

Find out about earache (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Earwax

Who to see: pharmacy first. A pharmacist can suggest drops to soften the wax, which usually clears in about a week.

If you think you need your ears irrigated, book with the practice nurse or healthcare assistant. Do not use cotton buds or your fingers, as this pushes the wax in.

Find out about earwax build-up (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Eczema

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 4 weeks, or looks infected.

Find out about eczema (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Emergency contraception

Who to see: a pharmacy, a sexual health clinic or a GP. It is free, and works best the sooner you take it.

Eye injuries

Who to see: an urgent treatment centre. If it is severe, go to A&E.

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

Eyes, sore or red

Who to see: an optician or a pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better. If it is severe, go to A&E.

Find an optician near you (opens in a new tab)

F

Flatulence (wind)

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about flatulence (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Flu

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 7 days, or you have difficulty breathing.

Find out about flu (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Flu vaccine

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant.

Forms, medicals and private reports

Who to see: reception. This includes insurance reports, medical reports and holiday cancellation certificates.

Filling in forms and doing medicals is not covered by the NHS, so there is a charge. Fees vary. Ask at reception and we will tell you the cost before any work starts.

Before you bring the form in:

read it carefully and fill in and sign the parts you need to complete
allow up to 4 weeks. We will phone you when it is ready to collect.
pay when you collect

We do not sign passport forms.

Fungal infections

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not clear up.

G

General health advice

Check your symptoms on the NHS website, or ask a pharmacist. 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).

Genital infections, including herpes

Who to see: a sexual health clinic, or a GP.

H

Hay fever

Who to see: pharmacy. You can buy hay fever medicines without seeing a GP.

Find out about hay fever (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Head injury

Who to see: pharmacy or GP for a minor bump. Go to an urgent treatment centre if it is severe. Call 999 if the person is knocked out.

Head lice

Who to see: pharmacy, school nurse or practice nurse.

Find out about head lice and nits (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Headaches

Who to see: GP.

Find out about headaches (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Heart disease

Who to see: GP or practice nurse. We invite you for a review every year. Ask for an earlier appointment if you are worried.

Find out about coronary heart disease (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Holiday cancellation certificates

See Forms, medicals and private reports, above.

Housing letters

We do not normally provide letters to support housing applications. This is not part of our NHS work, so we may say no, or there may be a charge. Fees vary. Ask at reception and we will tell you the cost before any work starts.

Get housing advice from Shelter (opens in a new tab)

I

Indigestion

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about indigestion (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Insect bites and stings

Who to see: pharmacy. A pharmacist can treat an infected bite if you are aged 1 or over. See a GP if it is badly infected.

Find out about insect bites and stings (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Insomnia (trouble sleeping)

Who to see: pharmacy, then GP if it continues.

Find out about insomnia (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Insurance reports

See Forms, medicals and private reports, above.

M

Medication reviews

Who to see: clinical pharmacist or GP. Have any blood tests you are due before the review, and bring all your medicines with you.

Find out about prescriptions and medication reviews

Mental health

Who to see: GP. If you need to talk to someone now, call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.

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

Moles

Who to see: GP.

Find out about moles (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Mouth problems

See Dental and mouth problems, above.

N

Nappy rash

Who to see: pharmacy or your health visitor.

Find out about nappy rash (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Neck pain

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about neck pain (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Nosebleeds

Sit up, lean forward and pinch the soft part of your nose. Do not lean your head back. Hold an ice pack on the bridge of your nose.

Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if the bleeding is heavy or will not stop. See a GP if you get nosebleeds often.

Find out about nosebleeds (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

P

Panic attacks

Who to see: GP.

Get help with anxiety, fear or panic (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Passport forms

We do not sign passport forms. This is not covered by the NHS.

Find out who can countersign a passport application (GOV.UK) (opens in a new tab)

Period problems

Who to see: GP.

Find out about period problems (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Phobias

Who to see: GP.

Find out about phobias (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Piles

See Constipation or piles, above.

Pneumococcal vaccine

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant.

R

Rashes

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 7 days.

Find out about rashes in babies and children (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Rectal (bottom) problems

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it lasts more than 7 days.

Removal of stitches

See Dressings, stitches and wounds, above.

S

Shingles

Who to see: pharmacy if you are aged 18 or over. A pharmacist can give you treatment. Otherwise see a GP.

Shingles vaccine

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant.

Sick (fit) note

For the first 7 days off work, you fill in a self-certification form yourself. After 7 days, ask us for a fit note.

Find out how to get a sick (fit) note

Sinusitis

Who to see: pharmacy if you are aged 12 or over. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about sinusitis (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Skin conditions

Who to see: pharmacy. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find advice on skin conditions in the Health A to Z (opens in a new tab)

Smoking

Who to see: practice nurse or GP. The NHS Quit Smoking service has free tools and support.

Get help to quit smoking (NHS Better Health) (opens in a new tab)

Sore penis

Who to see: a sexual health clinic. See a GP if it does not get better.

Sore throat

Who to see: pharmacy if you are aged 5 or over. See a GP if it has not improved after a week.

Paracetamol can help with the pain. Adults can gargle with warm, salty water, but this is not for children.

Find out about sore throats (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Sprains and strains

Who to see: pharmacy. Go to an urgent treatment centre if you think it is a serious injury. See a GP if it lasts more than 7 days.

Stings

See Insect bites and stings, above.

Styes

Who to see: pharmacy or optician. See a GP if it does not get better.

Find out about styes (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Sunburn

Who to see: pharmacy.

Find out about sunburn (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

T

Tetanus injection

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant.

Find out about tetanus (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Threadworms

Who to see: pharmacy.

Find out about threadworms (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Thrush

Who to see: pharmacy. If you are sexually active, you can also go to a sexual health clinic.

Tiredness

Feeling tired all the time is very common. Try the self-help advice first. See a GP if you are still tired after that.

Find out about sleep and tiredness (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Travel vaccinations

Who to see: practice nurse. Book at least 6 weeks before you travel.

U

Urine infections (cystitis)

Who to see: pharmacy if you are a woman aged 16 to 64. Otherwise see the practice nurse or a GP.

Bring a urine sample to your appointment. You can get a sample pot from reception.

Find out about urinary tract infections (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

V

Vaginal discharge

Who to see: pharmacy, practice nurse or GP. If you are sexually active, you can also go to a sexual health clinic.

Verrucas

See Warts and verrucas, below.

Vitamin B12 injection

Who to see: practice nurse or healthcare assistant.

Find out about vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Vomiting

See Diarrhoea and vomiting, above.

W

Warfarin monitoring

Who to see: GP. If you take warfarin, we can refer you to the monitoring service.

Find out about warfarin (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Warts and verrucas

Who to see: pharmacy. A pharmacist can advise on treatments you can buy.

Find out about warts and verrucas (NHS website) (opens in a new tab)

Cannot find your problem?

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