What to do if you feel unwell

• 

  Thinking of going to Accident and Emergency but not sure if you need to? Try our handy symptom checker.

  Try Ask A&E now

• Self-care

  For a range of minor illnesses which don’t need medical attention.

  There are a range of conditions that can be treated at home with the right medication. Examples include sore throats, coughs, colds and mild stomach upsets.

• Pharmacist

  Advice on medication for minor illnesses, including coughs and colds.

  Pharmacies can provide you with medication for a variety of mild illnesses, including coughs and colds.

  Pharmacists are also able to offer advice when you are unwell but unsure exactly what may be wrong.

  They can offer you advice on what medication will suit your condition or direct you towards another service if needed.

  Find a pharmacy

• GP surgery

  General medical advice and treatment for a range of illnesses.

  General practitioners (GPs) are your local doctors. They can offer you medical advice, provide treatment, prescribe medication that is not available readily at the pharmacy and refer you to another service if necessary.

  The vast majority of GPs will offer emergency same-day appointments or home visits if you require more urgent medical help. Alternatively, you will be able to book an appointment for a future date.

  Finding and registering with a GP

• Walk-in centres

  Help with minor injuries and illnesses, without an appointment.

  You may be unable to get an appointment on the day from your local GP, or you may not be registered with a local GP. The alternative is to attend a walk in-centre which provides the same services as a GP but no appointment is required. You can turn up at a walk-in centre and wait to be seen by a doctor.

  The nearest walk-in centre to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham is on Katie Road in Selly Oak.

  Find a walk-in centre

• Call 111

  When you need urgent medical help but it’s not life-threatening.

  You can call 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and direct you to the right medical care for you.

  NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

  NHS 111

• A&E / call 999

  For genuine medical emergencies only.

  You should only attend A&E or call 999 for an ambulance if you or somebody you are with has a very serious or life-threatening injury or illness.

  It's important to remember that if you require emergency care or treatment you should attend your nearest hospital's Emergency Department.

• Specialist help

  • Dental emergencies

    For any emergency dental treatment it is best to contact a local dentist that provides emergency appointment slots.

    You can search for dentists near you on the NHS Choices website.

    Find local dentists

    Birmingham Dental Hospital is located off the Bristol Road in Edgbaston, not far from Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The Dental Hospital provides emergency dental services, but does not offer walk-in appointments. You must call 111 to be assessed for an appointment.

    Birmingham Dental Hospital

  • Emergency eye care

    The Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre is located within City Hospital and is open for walk-in appointments between 08:30 and 19:00, Monday to Friday.

    Outside these times, the City Hospital Emergency Department has facilities to see patients who require urgent eye care.

    Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre City Hospital

  • Children's emergency

    Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham does not have specific facilities to treat children within its Emergency Department.

    Birmingham Children's Hospital's Emergency Department is located on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham City Centre and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Birmingham Children's Hospital Emergency Department

  • Pregnancy

    Birmingham Women's Hospital is located next to Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

    The Women's Hospital does not have an Emergency Department but does run a pregnancy sickness clinic. Your GP can refer you for an appointment at the clinic.

    Birmingham Women's Hospital

  • Sexual health

    Umbrella provides sexual health services for Birmingham and Solihull.

    Contraception, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), STI treatment and other sexual health services are available from a range of clinics and other locations across the region.

    Umbrella sexual health services