Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.  It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.

Self-care

Keeping a well stocked medicine cabinet at home can help you treat many minor ailments. Colds, coughs, indigestion and many other minor complaints can all be treated with medicines that are available over the counter.

Your pharmacist can advise on what you might find useful to keep in your medicine cabinet. Always follow the instructions on the medicine label and consult your doctor if the illness continues or becomes more severe.

Your Local Pharmacist

Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.  

Pharmacists can also advise on healthy eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription.  

Minor Injury Units

If you have an injury that needs urgent or immediate attention, you should call 111 to make an appointment with an expert in one of NHS Lothian’s Minor Injury Units.

The MIU team can help adults and children aged 18 months and over who have a recent minor injury within the last seven days, including:

• strains and sprains
• wounds and minor burns
• minor bumps to head and face
• simple eye injuries
• insect bites and stings

Depending on the nature of your injury, you will be given an appointment for a video call or a face- to-face consultation with one of the team. You might also be directed to another care service, such as your local pharmacy, that might be able to help more quickly and closer to home.

If you are given an appointment for a video consultation you will be sent a link to open at the time of your appointment which connects you to a member of the healthcare team. For this to work you will need a reliable internet connection and a smartphone, tablet or computer with a webcam.  If you do not have video technology, but need to be seen, you will be given a face-to-face appointment.  A face-to-face consultation will be scheduled in advance to prevent long waits when you attend.

An Emergency Nurse Practitioner or Physiotherapy Practitioner will assess your injury, provide advice and treatment. A lot of minor injuries can be treated from the comfort of your home or with the help of a local pharmacy.

Minor injury units are open seven days a week every day of the year.  You can also call NHS 24 on 111 free any time day or night if:

• you think you need A&E but it is not life threatening
• are too ill to wait for your GP or dentist to open
• need urgent mental health advice and guidance

 Accident & Emergency (A&E)

Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:

• loss of consciousness,
• pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
• acute confused state,
• persistent, severe chest pain, or
• breathing difficulties.

If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.

Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.