We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Before you book an appointment to see a doctor please consider whether an appointment with an alternative clinician might be appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our care navigators can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first. Find out more about treatments for common minor ailments.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
H.A.Y. (How are you? Lincolnshire) is all about helping you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
The websites provide not just listings of local activities, groups and services but also video introductions to group organisers and taster clips of what to expect. H.A.Y. aims to support you both finding out what you might like to get involved in and in taking those first steps.
Your pharmacist can help too
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just give your local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Click here for more information about how pharmacies can help you.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
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
Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.
Beacon Friends and Family Service
Beacon offers advice and guidance to adults, young people and children over the age of five around the effects they may be experiencing including stress, anxiety, isolation and the impact to their mental or physical health, relationships or finances.
People can self-refer through the Beacon website www.lincsbeacon.co.uk, by email lincs.info@lincsbeacon.co.uk or phone, 0800 304 7021 and choose the type of support that suits them best, including one-to-one sessions, group sessions, peer-peer support and bespoke support. The service also accepts referrals from family members, concerned others and professionals. Support can be accessed even if the person’s using substances is not in treatment.
The Beacon service is free, confidential and non-judgemental. The service is flexible and will meet people where they feel most comfortable. This could be at one of the six hubs across the county, a community venue, home or school, online or over the phone. The team will offer convenient appointment times to fit in with people’s schedules.
For more information, please visit Beacon | Lincolnshire.