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 a practice nurse might be appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our receptionists 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.
You can check your symptoms to find out what would be the best next step by following this link – NHS 111 Wales – Check Your Symptoms
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.
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 call your local pharmacy (or drop in) – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Choose Pharmacy – Common Ailments Service
You can now get free NHS advice and treatment for a range of common ailments from our local Community Pharmacists, instead of seeing a Doctor.
– You don’t have to make an appointment
– You can go along at any time that suits you
– The service is available for the following 27 conditions:
- Acne vulgaris
- Allergic rhinitis (Hay fever)
- Athlete’s foot
- Back pain (acute, lower)
- Chickenpox (under 14s)
- Cold sores
- Colic (infantile)
- Conjunctivitis (bacterial)
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Dry eye disease
- Dry skin/dermatitis/atopic eczema
- Dyspepsia (Indigestion)
- Haemorrhoids (Piles)
- Head lice
- Ingrowing toenail
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Oral thrush
- Ringworm/tinea cruris/intertrigo
- Scabies
- Sore throat
- Teething
- Threadworms
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Vulvovaginal thrush
- Warts and verrucae
Where no medicine is recommended by the NHS, the pharmacist will give you advice on how to manage the condition.
However, if your problem is more serious and needs the attention of a GP, your pharmacist will recognise this and advise you to see your GP.
Swansea Bay University Health Board: https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/community-services/primary-care/pharmacists/
Choose Well Wales
Choosing the right NHS Wales service if you become ill or are injured
Choose Well will help you decide if you need medical attention if you get sick. It explains what each NHS service does, and when it should be used.
Choosing Well means that you and your family will get the best treatment. It also allows busy NHS services to help the people who need them most.
If you don’t know which option to choose, please contact NHS Direct Wales on 111 or follow the link Welcome | Use the Right Service
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 111 Wales Information
111 option 2
If you or someone you know, requires urgent mental health support that is not life threatening, please telephone 111 and select option 2. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
111 Option 2 for Mental Health Support
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.
Student Support Services
SWANSEA UNIVERSITY DSA ASSESSMENT CENTRE: offers specialist advice, guidance, and support options for students experiencing challenges during their time at university. Their services are for students experiencing emotional and personal difficulties as well as more complex long-term issues including sensory or physical impairments, long term medical conditions, specific learning difficulties (SpLD), autistic spectrum conditions (ASC), and mental health conditions; to ensure that all Swansea University students have equal learning opportunities.
follow the link: Student Support Services – Swansea University
Physiotherapy
Musculoskeletal problems can be an issue – you can self refer to physiotherapy. To find out more about the referral process, please follow this link Physiotherapy – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)
For useful information about your problem , help line, videos for exercises please follow this link Versus Arthritis | A future free from arthritis
Struggling with mental wellbeing?
If you or someone you know, requires urgent mental health support that is not life threatening, please telephone 111 and select option 2. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
111 Option 2 for Mental Health Support
If you have problems dealing with your mental health and are trying to find help getting to your optimum mental wellbeing, please follow the below
Link to Mental Health Services
Concerned about Autism?
There is no need to see your GP to be referred for assessment, you can self refer through this link – Western Bay Integrated Autism Service – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Foot problems (Podiatry services for new patients – direct access):
If you need advice for any foot-related problem please follow the link for self referring and contact details Podiatry – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Please note that the podiatry walk in service has ceased until further notice. Please contact the department on 0300 300 0024 or via email [email protected]
Sexual Health Services:
All access to sexual health clinics is now appointment only. The easiest way to do this is by completing our online form: Follow this link to complete the online form to access the sexual health clinic. Alternatively, if you can’t access the form, you can call us on 0300 5550279. We will respond to your query within 48 working hours.
For more details about services follow this link Sexual Health Services – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)
