Where to get the right care when services are experiencing high levels of demand.
The NHS is always here to help you – but people are being asked to use services wisely to make sure you can get the most appropriate support and help us to help you.
We want to make sure you get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional.
There are many different services to choose from. This page will help you understand which service is best for your needs.
The NHS website
The NHS website provides health advice and guidance for numerous conditions and supports you to find the service you need.
Self-care
Minor illnesses and injuries can be treated at home with rest, simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and basic first aid.
A well-stocked medicine cabinet can help you and your family to get the best treatment as soon as possible for a range of common illnesses, such as colds and flu.
If you are unsure, or you have questions about what you can have at home to treat you and your family, visit your local pharmacist for free, effective advice and support.
Common ailments can typically last for between one and three weeks – for example, a sore throat can last one week; a cold one-and-a-half weeks; and a cough three weeks.
Unsure how long your symptoms will last and when to get further medical advice? Visit a day-by-day symptom checker to know what symptoms to expect and what you can do to treat yourself.
COVID-19 can also be treated at home in the majority of cases. See some tips on treating your cold at home.
Pharmacy
Your pharmacist can do so much more than complete your prescription. They can give you expert clinical advice for minor health concerns and help with many common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains. And the best part is you don’t need to make an appointment.
Pharmacists are trained experts in managing minor illnesses and using medicines safely. They can advise you on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
Most local pharmacies have private consultation rooms where your pharmacist can talk to you confidentially. They are not required to note anything in your medical records, which some people may prefer.
Repeat prescriptions should be available as usual. It is important to only request your medicines when they are running low (e.g., one week’s supply left) as you usually would. If you are self-isolating or unwell, friends and family are able to collect prescriptions on your behalf.
NHS 111
For urgent medical help, contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or make a free call by dialling 111. Help is available 24 hours per day from a team of highly trained experts.
NHS 111 call handlers can advise you where local NHS services are, help with prescriptions, offer self-care advice and even arrange appointments including giving you an arrival time at an Urgent Treatment Centre or A&E.
Your GP surgery
The doctors and nurses at your local GP surgery are there to support you with a range of new and ongoing health concerns. You will usually have to make an appointment and they are working under enormous pressure at the moment, so you may find that you get the right help sooner by using the options described above.
If your GP practice is closed and you cannot wait until they re-open please use NHS 111.
Walk in centres, Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres
For injuries or illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening you can use an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), walk-in centre or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). It is best to try NHS 111 first to book an appointment at the nearest service to you.
The NHS website provides an overview of the conditions these services can treat.
Brighton and Hove
- Brighton Station Health Centre – Walk in or call 0333 321 0946. Open 8am to 8pm every day.
East Sussex
- Crowborough MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day.
- Lewes UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day.
- Uckfield MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day.
- Eastbourne District General Hospital UTC – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time.
- The Conquest Hospital, St Leonards-on-Sea UTC – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time.
West Sussex
- Crawley UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
- Bognor War Memorial Hospital, MIU – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
- Horsham Hospital MIU – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (not open Bank Holidays)
- Queen Victoria Hospital MIU, East Grinstead – Walk-in service. Open 8am to 8pm every day.
- St Richards Hospital UTC, Chichester – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time.
- Worthing Hospital UTC – People are urged to use 111 to receive help and advice, and if appropriate a booked arrival time.
A&E/999
A&E and Emergency Departments are for life-saving emergencies only.
If you have a serious or life-threatening emergency – such as severe bleeding, breathing difficulties or chest pain – please dial 999 or go to your local A&E department.
Mental health support
The Sussex Mental Healthline offers crisis care for people in urgent need of help with their mental health. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 0309 500
Text Relay calls and New Generation Text calls from hearing and speech impaired callers are also available on 0300 5000 101.
Community support
For more information on community support, help available and the impact of the national restrictions on local council services, please visit the following pages:
