If you require urgent medical advice or attention outside of normal surgery hours please call NHS111.

Calls are free from both landlines and mobile phones.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, you can:

• call 18001 111 on a textphone
• use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter serviceif you’re deaf and want to use the phone service

Only go to hospital A&E in the event of an accident and emergency.  An emergency is a critical or life-threatening situation such as:

• Unconsciousness
• Suspected broken bones
• Heavy blood loss
• Suspected heart attack
• Deep wounds – such as a stab wound
• Breathing difficulties
• Chest pain
• Head injuries

Call 999 for an ambulance if the patient:

• Has had chest pains for more than 15 mins
• Is not breathing/is having difficulty breathing/is choking
• Is unconscious
• Is bleeding heavily
• Is in severe abdominal pain
• Bleeding from the vagina and could be pregnant
• Is in the final stages of labour
• May have had a stroke, fit or convulsion
• May have taken an overdose
• Has severe burns
• Has suspected head or spinal injuries
• Has had a severe allergic reaction

How can I access an NHS Dentist in an emergency or out of hours?

• If you have a dentist:Contact that practice directly for advice. If the practice is closed an answering machine message will provide details of how to access treatment urgent care.
• If you do not have a dentist:Those who do not have a regular dentist that they routinely visit there is a dedicated urgent dental service in Walsall. The Dental Access Centre will try and see people with dental pain or swelling as soon as possible, normally on the same day and provides urgent dental treatment only.

The Dental Access Centre based at Blakenall Village Centre, Bloxwich WS3 1LZ operates an urgent dental service including the weekend and bank holidays (this includes Christmas day, Boxing day and New Year’s Day). The standard NHS emergency fee of £21.60 applies unless you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment.

Call NHS 111 for more advice and times

Don’t contact your GP, as they won’t be able to offer emergency or out-of-hours dental care.

If you’re in pain while waiting to see a dentist, take painkillers. NHS 111 can also offer other self care advice.