The right support when you need it

Do what you can to stay well at home

NHS emergency services are there for you in emergency and life threatening situations. For medical treatment when it is not an emergency, there are other services available:

  • Call 111 for advice and help 24 hours a day
  • Go to your GP or use an out-of hours GP service. If you need to see a GP or nurse in the evening or at the weekend, appointments are now available through your GP practice. More information can be found here.
  • Visit the NHS website – the biggest health website in the UK
  • Find a local Walk-in Centre, Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Injuries Unit – you don’t need an appointment
  • Go to a local or late night pharmacy – they do more than just dispense prescriptions and medicines

NHS website

Visit www.nhs.uk to:

  • Check your symptoms to see if you need further treatment
  • Better understand your health so you can stay well
  • Find out what services are available if you need treatment

Call NHS 111 - available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

NHS 111 is staffed by a team of fully trained advisers. Depending on the situation, they can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or even a GP, and can arrange face‐to‐face appointments if they think you need one. Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

Visit your local pharmacy

There are many local pharmacies on high streets, in supermarkets and shopping centres. You don’t need an appointment and they can offer advice and over‐the‐counter medication to help deal with bugs, minor injuries, tummy troubles, skin conditions and allergies.

Visit your GP

GPs help with treatment and advice on health problems and minor injuries. You may not be able to get an appointment immediately but practices will be able to see you as soon as possible.

Emergency Dental Service

If you need emergency advice and treatment out of hours, call NHS 111 or visit

For help finding an NHS dentist, call the Dental Helpline – Tel: 0300 123 1663.

Minor Injuries Units (MIU) in East Sussex

The Minor Injuries Units located in East Sussex are open 8.00am to 8.00pm every day. They can be an a more appropriate alternative to attending an Emergency Department (A&E) if you have a less serious condition that needs urgent attention, including broken bones, minor burns and scalds, insect and animal bites and wound infections. The Minor Injury Units in East Sussex are:

Crowborough Minor Injuries Unit

Crowborough War Memorial Hospital
Southview Road
Crowborough, TN6 1HB

(01892) 603602

Lewes Minor Injuries Unit

Lewes Victoria Hospital
Nevill Road
Lewes BN7 1PE

Tel: (01273) 474153

Uckfield Minor Injuries Unit

Uckfield Community Hospital
Framfield Road
Uckfield, TN22 5AW

Tel: (01825) 745030

Stay well choose well

  • Call 111 for advice and help 24 hours a day
  • Go to your GP or use an out-of hours GP service
  • Visit NHS – the biggest health website in the UK
  • Find a local Walk-in Centre, Urgent Treatment Centre or Minor Injuries Unit – you don’t need an appointment
  • Go to a local or late night pharmacy – they do more than just dispense prescriptions and medicines

Free flu vaccination

You are eligible for the free flu vaccine if you are pregnant, are aged 65 years or over, have a long-term health condition (check which conditions are eligible), or are a carer. Children aged 2 or 3 years are also eligible.

Ask your GP, pharmacist or midwife about the free flu vaccine.

Top tips for staying well

We can all help reduce the pressure on NHS services during this busy time by planning ahead, keeping ourselves healthy and making sure we choose the right service for our needs if we do need care.

  • Have your flu jab – It’s free for people who are at risk, including those aged 65 and over, pregnant women, carers and some young children, to ensure they are protected against catching flu and developing serious complications. Talk to your GP, practice nurse or pharmacist for more information.
  • Order repeat prescriptions early – if you take any regular medication and you expect these to run out before bank holidays, make sure you don’t get caught out and order your repeat prescriptions
  • Give your medicine cabinet a makeover – it is a good idea to make sure you are always ready to manage common illnesses like coughs, colds, indigestion and headaches yourself. It is easy, quick and cheap for you to buy medicines to treat these problems over the counter at your local pharmacy.
  • Ask for advice – pharmacists can assess your symptoms for many minor ailments, advise you on how to care for yourself and help you buy the medicine you need. You don’t need an appointment and many pharmacies are open late and at weekends, outside of bank holiday periods.
  • Stay warm: Cold weather can affect your health so keep an eye on the weather forecast and keep your home warm. More information about the Warm Home Check Service is available at warmeastsussex.org.uk
  • Eat well: Food provides energy, which helps to keep you warm, so have regular hot meals and drinks during the day.

If you do feel unwell, there are a range of services in place to help. Making sure you get the right care, at the right time, in the right place is important.