At PrescriptionPad, we offer a safe, effective and hassle-free online healthcare provision for our patients. We have designed our services to be convenient, accessible and as simple to use as possible. Nevertheless, there may be occasions where we are unable to provide the medical service that you require. This guide will help you to find the most appropriate NHS service for your needs.
Medical Emergencies
In a medical emergency – Call 999
A medical emergency is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Medical emergencies can include:
- Loss of consciousness
- An acute confused state
- Fits that are not stopping
- Persistent, severe chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns or scalds
You can find out more about when to call 999 in medical emergencies here.
If a medical emergency is non-life threatening – Call 111
You should call 111 if:
- You need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- You think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- You need health information or reassurance about what to do next
You can find out more about when to dial 111 in non-life-threatening medical emergencies here.
Non-life-threatening illness or injury
If you have a non-life-threatening illness or injury and you cannot wait to see your GP, you can visit a Minor Injury Unit or Urgent Care Centre.
You can find out more about when to take someone to an Urgent Treatment Centre here.
Other non-urgent care options include:
Sexual health services
Getting tested and treated for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is straightforward and confidential. You can find out more about visiting an STI clinic here.
Sexual health clinics don’t just diagnose and treat common STIs, they offer a range of services including:
- Advice and information about sexual health
- Free condoms
- Contraception – including emergency contraception
- Pregnancy testing
- HIV testing – including rapid tests that give results in about 30 minutes and counselling for people who are HIV-positive
- PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) – medication that can help prevent people from developing HIV if they’ve been exposed to it
- Hepatitis B vaccination
- Advice about abortion
- Help for people who have been sexually assaulted
You can find out more about sexual health services here.
Other services
For further information about choosing the right healthcare service for your needs; including mental health services, dentists and opticians, please click here.
