Out-of-hours Service - Timber Hill Health Centre

General informationCommendations, concernsor complaintsPlease do not call for routine mattersThe Out-of-hours Service is only for urgenthealthcare and treatment. We cannot provideyou with repeat prescriptions, or make anappointment for you with your GP or practicenurse. For these and other routine matters youwill need to contact your GP surgery duringnormal opening hours, between Monday andFriday.Paying for prescriptionsIf you usually pay for medicines prescribed byyour GP you will be asked to pay the currentprescription charge for each item dispensedby us. This will not be charged at the timeof treatment, as our primary care treatmentcentres do not handle money. A request forpayment will be sent to your home address.Dental EmergenciesWe cannot deal with dental emergencies.Please call your own dentist and listen tothe answer phone message or, if you do nothave a dentist, contact NHS Direct on0845 600 3246 for advice on pain relief oran emergency appointment.It is our aim to make sure that every patienthas a good experience of using our serviceand it is helpful to know when we get thingsright as well as when you are unhappy aboutany aspect of the care we have provided.If you have any commendations, concerns orcomplaints about our service please write to usat:East of England Ambulance Service,Norwich Office,Hospital lane,Hellesdon, Norwich, NR6 5NATelephone: 01603 422820Email: pals@eastamb.nhs.ukIf you would like this leaflet in large print,audio, Braille, alternative format or in adifferent language please call 01603 422827and we will do our best to help.Published August 2007 by theEast of England Ambulance Service NHS TrustOut-of-hoursServiceUrgent health care andtreatment in Norfolk atnight, weekends andpublic holidays

What is the Out-of-hoursService?What to expectOther options for healthcareWe can help when your GP surgery isclosed and you need urgent health care andtreatment at night, weekends and on publicholidays.When is it available?Weekdays: between 6.30 pm and 8.00 am.Weekends and public holidays: 24 hours.Call your surgery number and listen to therecorded information.It will either give you anumber for theOut-of-hours Service orautomatically divert youto our call centre in Norwich.Our call-taker will ask you for details of yourproblem.Depending on the nature of your illness youwill then speak to a doctor, a nurse or anemergency care practitioner who will assessyou.They will either:• Give you advice over the telephone on howto treat yourself at home or to visit a localpharmacy• Ask you to attend a local primary carecentre where you may be treated by eithera doctor, a nurse, or an emergency carepractitioner• Arrange for you to have a home visit fromeither a doctor, a nurse or an emergencycare practitioner• In some cases, for example at very busytimes, a doctor, a nurse or an emergencycare practitioner may call you back asquickly as possible.PharmacyAsk a pharmacist for advice about the most useful itemsto keep in your home medicine cabinet so that you areable to treat minor illness and injury yourself.NHS DirectNot sure if you need a doctor, or just want informationand advice about a health problem? Call NHS Direct on0845 4647, available 24 hours.Norwich NHS Walk-in CentreDussindale, Pound Lane, Norwich, Telephone 01603300122 (next to Sainsbury’s).The experienced nursing team are able to treat a widerange of minor illnesses and injuries.No appointment is needed.Open Weekdays 7am to 10pm and Weekends and publicholidays 9am to 10pm.Cromer Hospital Minor Injuries UnitOpen 8am to 10pm seven days a week, for thetreatment of all kinds of minor injuries.EmergenciesThink carefully before dialing 999 for an ambulance orgoing to a hospital accident and emergency department(A&E). These services are for people who are seriously illor injured.