How to use your health services

There is a whole range of health services that you can access across Northern Ireland, but it’s really important that you use the right one for your condition. The information below gives you a guide to these services – from the types of conditions you can manage yourself, to when you should attend an emergency department for urgent treatment.

Conditions you can manage yourself

There are lots of conditions that you can manage yourself. These include:

coughs and colds
sore throat
indigestion

If necessary, you can stay at home until you’re feeling better and take medication to ease your symptoms.

Things you can speak to your pharmacist about

Community pharmacists are health professionals who can provide you with advice about certain aspects of your health, including:

using medicines safely and appropriately
self care for some conditions
having a healthy lifestyle

Many community pharmacies run a minor ailments scheme, which means they can offer you treatment for some common conditions without you having to visit your GP. The conditions include:

diarrhoea
head lice
athletes foot

You should find the following page useful:

Pharmacists

When you should go to your GP

You can make an appointment to see your GP about a wide range of non-emergency health issues. Things you may wish to see your GP about include:

advice on health problems
examinations and treatment
prescriptions for medicines
referrals to other health services and social services
vaccinations

Your local doctor (GP)

GP out of hours service

The GP out of hours service is there if you need urgent medical treatment that you would normally receive from your GP, but you cannot wait until the practice is open the next day.

Out of hours service

Minor injury units

Minor injury units treat patients with minor injuries or illnesses. The conditions they typically handle include:

cuts and wounds
sprains and strains
bites and stings
minor scalds and burn
minor eye problems – for example, foreign bodies in the eye

You can attend a minor injury unit without an appointment.

Minor injury units do not treat children.

Emergency departments (A&E)

Emergency departments provide the highest level of emergency care for patients, especially those who are stricken with sudden and acute illness or who are the victims of severe trauma.

Conditions handled in these units include: