Who should I see?

When you contact the practice, our reception team will ask a few simple questions to help direct you to the most appropriate care.

This might be a GP, nurse, pharmacist, or another service — so you can get help as quickly as possible.

Self Care

For many common illnesses, the best first step is self care.

Reception may advise you to:

• Rest and drink plenty of fluids
• Use simple medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen (if suitable)
• Monitor your symptoms at home

If your symptoms don’t improve, get worse, or you’re worried, please contact us again.

Pharmacy / Common Ailments Service (CAS)

For minor illnesses, our reception team may guide you to your local pharmacy first.

Pharmacists can:

• Assess your symptoms
• Offer advice and treatment
• Supply some medicines free of charge (if you are eligible in Wales)

You do not need an appointment — simply walk in.

This is often the quickest way to get help for conditions like coughs, colds, sore throats, rashes, and earache.

GP or Nurse Appointment

You will be offered an appointment if:

• Your symptoms need further medical assessment
• Your condition is more complex or ongoing
• The pharmacist advises you to contact us

Appointments may be face-to-face, telephone, or online, depending on what is most appropriate.

Urgent Care

If you have serious or urgent symptoms, please do not wait:

• Call 999 in an emergency
• Or use NHS 111 Wales for urgent advice

Choose Well

There are many places to seek medical advice if you are unwell.  It is sometimes difficult to decide which service you need.

Helping you to decide which service you need

NHS 111 Wales - Homepage  

NHS 111 is a free service available 24 hours a day if you need urgent medical help or advice but it is not a life-threatening emergency. You can call 111 or visit 111 online to get quick guidance on what to do next. A trained advisor will assess your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate care, such as a GP, pharmacy, out-of-hours service, or urgent treatment centre. If needed, they can arrange a call back from a clinician. Always call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency.

Weekend, Night Cover and bank holidays

Between the hours of 6.30pm and 8.00am the surgery is closed. To contact your doctor’s out-of-hours service please ring 01633 744 285. Alternatively, you may contact NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 for nurse-led information and advice. For life-threatening emergency situations please ring 999.

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.

Appointments at the Surgery

Before booking an appointment with a GP, please consider whether another member of our healthcare team may be able to help you.

Our practice nurse can help with a number of health issues including:

• Long-term condition reviews (such as asthma, diabetes or high blood pressure)

• Vaccinations and immunisations

• Postoperative Stitch and Staple removals 

• Health checks and blood pressure monitoring

• Lifestyle advice such as smoking cessation or weight management

If you are unsure who is the most appropriate person to see, our reception team will guide you and help arrange the most suitable appointment.

Same Day Appointments

We operate a triage system to make sure patients who need urgent medical care are seen as quickly as possible.

Our reception team may ask a few brief questions about your problem. This helps us ensure you are directed to the right clinician or service.

Children

Children under 16 with acute presentation will be offered same-day appointments so that they can be assessed promptly.

Other services at our Surgery that may help you

There are several services available locally that patients can access directly without seeing a GP first.

Physiotherapy

If you have muscle, joint or back pain, you may be able to refer yourself directly to physiotherapy.
Physiotherapists can help with problems such as:

• Back or neck pain

• Joint pain

• Sports injuries

• Mobility problems

Self-referral can often be quicker than waiting for a GP appointment.

Mental Health Support

If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, low mood or emotional difficulties, there are several services that can support you.

You may be able to speak to a Primary Care Mental Health Nurse through the practice if appropriate.

You can also contact the following services directly:

Valleys Steps  Valleys Steps | Free Mindfulness and Stress Control Courses
Provides free courses and support to help people manage stress, anxiety, low mood and build wellbeing skills.

Mind  We're Mind, the mental health charity | Mind
Offers advice, information and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties.

EPP Wales (Education Programme for Patients) Education Programmes for Patients | Improvement Cymru - NHS Wales Performance and Improvement
Provides free courses that help people manage long-term conditions, stress and wellbeing.

These services offer practical support, group courses and self-help strategies that many people find very helpful.