Get Help For Your Health In North East London

About this guide

In this guide we have used some words that not everyone will understand. We have written these words in bold and we will explain what they mean.
The National Health Service (NHS) gives everyone living in the UK free health services.
This includes anyone who has come from another country to live in the UK.

To use NHS services better you need to register with your local doctor’s surgery.
Register means to give information about you on a form and be added to a list.
It is free to register and you do not need an address.
You only need to be registered if you need to see a doctor (GP).
For more help on how to register visit the NHS website

Your doctor (GP) is usually the first place to go if you are worried about your health or the health of your child.
You can book an appointment on their website or the NHS App on your phone or tablet, or phone them. Appointments can be in person or over the phone.
They can get you appointments in the evening, at the weekend or on a bank holiday.
If you do not speak English, are deaf, or find it hard to understand, you can have someone at your appointment who will help you understand. Your doctor’s surgery can sort this for you.

Pharmacists are people who give you medicine and advice if you, or your child, are not well.
They can help you with health worries such as coughs, colds, tummy troubles, aches and pains.
A lot of pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
You can find a pharmacy near you by visiting the NHS website

Most GPs are closed on evenings and weekends but you, or your child, can still get an appointment to see a doctor at those times.
If you live in Hackney, City of London, Newham, Tower Hamlets or Waltham Forest, you can get an evening or weekend appointment by:
- Calling your doctor’s surgery on the day
- Or by calling 111
If you live in Barking and Dagenham or Havering you can get an evening or weekend appointment by calling 0203 770 1888 from 8am to 8pm every day. If you live in Redbridge call 0203 649 4499.
In Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge you can also get help with minor injuries and illnesses, at our Urgent Treatment Centres at Barking Community Hospital and Harold Wood Polyclinic.
These are open from 8am to 9pm seven days a week.
You can call NHS 111 to book an appointment or walk in and wait to be seen. You do not need to be registered with a GP.

If you or your child need urgent health care advice you can go to the NHS 111 website or call 111. Urgent means you need to be seen quickly.
NHS 111 can:
- Tell you where to get help
- Help you find more information
- Tell you where to get medicine from
- Give you advice
- Book you a doctor’s or emergency dentist appointment
- May send you to a walk-in centre or hospital
It is best to visit the NHS 111 website or call 111 before going to hospital if your illness is not life-threatening. Life-threatening means you could die if you don’t get help.

To talk to someone about your mental health you can call your doctor or visit the Talking Therapies website
In a mental health emergency call of these crisis numbers:
- Barking & Dagenham - 0800 995 1000
- City & Hackney - 0800 073 0006
- Havering - 0800 995 1000
- Newham - 0800 073 0066
- Redbridge - 0800 995 1000
- Tower Hamlets - 0800 073 0003
- Waltham Forest - 0800 995 1000

You should only call 999 or go to hospital if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life could be at risk.
You should call 999 quickly if you or someone else if having a heart attack or a stroke, or have had a serious accident.