If you need urgent medical advice or assistance Out-of-Hours that can not wait until the GP surgery re-opens, then call the Out-of Hours telephone number:

0300 1 30 30 30

If you forget the number, don’t worry, you can still call your GP surgery, where you will either be put through automatically to the Out-of-Hours service or a recorded message will give you the telephone number.

Please note: The Emergency Department at hospitals should only be used in emergency situations.

WHAT RESPONSE CAN I EXPECT WHEN I RING 0300 1 30 30 30?

Your call will be answered by a specifically trained call handler from Badger Healthcare. They will ask some questions, for example:

Your name and address
The name of your GP
Your contact telephone number
The reason for your call

The call handler will check the patient’s safety and prioritise your call. If the patient needs to speak to a nurse or GP they will phone you back within a specified time.
In the meantime, if the patient’s condition worsens, please call back.
The nurse or GP will ask you for more information about your urgent health care problem and may;

Offer advice on self-care
Refer you to a local Primary Care Centre for an appointment to be seen by a doctor
Advise you to attend an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department
Arrange a home visit
Or in an emergency send out an ambulance

All the information you provide is regarded as confidential and all calls are recorded and logged.
If your medical need or health care problem is not urgent, either contact your own GP surgery when it re-opens or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 (local call rate) or view the website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

WHAT OTHER HEALTH SERVICES CAN I ACCESS DIRECTLY, OUT OF HOURS?

NHS Direct is a 24-hour nurse advice and health information service. Telephone 0845 46 47 or view the website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Community Pharmacists (times vary, please ring NHS Direct for details)

Hospital Emergency Departments should only be used in emergency situations such as injury or sudden onset of illness.

Emergency Ambulance Services can be accessed by dialling ‘999’. Of course, use this service responsibly but do not be afraid to use it.

Please do not use the Out-of-Hours number for repeat prescriptions, test results or routine GP Appointments.

ABOUT BADGER HEALTHCARE LIMITED

Badger Healthcare Limited are an experienced current provide of GP Out-of-Hours services and have been awarded the contract by South Staffordshire PCT to provide GP Out- of-Hours services.