As well as our practice, there are many other local NHS services you can contact for health advice, information or treatment. Before you do, remember that you can treat many minor ailments such as colds, coughs and indigestion by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home. We suggest you keep the following:
- Paracetamol and aspirin (under 16’s and people with asthma should not take aspirin)
- Mild laxatives
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
- Rehydration mixture
- Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids)
- Travel sickness tablets
- Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher
- Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine)
- Tweezers and sharp scissors
- A thermometer
- A selection of plasters, non absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
Remember
- Keep the medicine chest in a secure, locked place out of reach of small children
- Always read the instructions and use the suggested dose
- Watch expiry dates – don’t keep or use medicines past their sell-by date
- Take all unwanted and out-of-date medicines back to the pharmacy
Your local pharmacist
Your local pharmacist will be able to give you free health advice at any time – you don’t need an appointment. Many pharmacies operate extended hours on a rota basis. Call NHS 111 for details on 111.
Gravesend Hospital Minor Injury Unit
This unit is open 9:00am to 9:00pm, 7 days a week.
The unit has emergency nurse practitioners who are trained in assessing, diagnosing and treating a wide range of minor injuries i.e. Cuts and bruises, strains and sprains, foreign bodies in eyes, minor burns and scalds etc
Major accidents, injuries and illnesses should attend Darent Valley Hospital Accident and Emergency Department
For further information please ring 01474 574217.
Accident and Emergency/999
Whatever the day or time, if you or someone else experiences severe chest pain, loss of blood or suspected broken bones, go to your nearest Accident and emergency department or call 999. Accident and emergency departments are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can assess serious injuries and provide emergency treatment.
Health Help Now
This is a new web-app for patients living in Kent and Medway which aims to help patients find the right treatment and advice for their needs.
Health Help Now offers a wide range of advice for common symptoms in all age groups. It enables you to select your symptom or need and then locate the closest service based on recommendations made by local GPs, paramedics, psychiatrists, hospital doctors and other health professionals.
Whatever the time of day or night and wherever you are, it shows you where the nearest service is and what the opening hours are. Details of services such as the nearest Pharmacy, walk-in-centre and minor injuries unit can be found on this website. It also gives phone numbers to a range of helplines such as DentaLine, The Dementia Helpline and HopeLineUK, for teenagers requiring support for mental health problems.
If English is not your preferred language, you can choose to use a confidential translation service.