Your rights to healthcare

Regardless of age, very few people feel 100 per cent all of the time. Fortunately, there are lots of ways you can get help when you are ill or when you need advice about your health.

You can, for example, contact:

• your GP (family doctor)
• your local pharmacist
• an NHS Walk-in Centre, or
• NHS Direct.

This guide aims to help you get the help you need if and when you do feel ill. It tells you what NHS services are available and how to find them, as well as practical advice on the best ways to get the treatment you need.

Contents

• Your GP
• What if I’m too ill to visit my GP?
• What if I’m not registered with a GP or am away from home?
• Getting the most from your medicines
• Deciding on treatment
• Visiting your pharmacist
• You and your dentist
• Paying for dental care
• Accident and emergency (A&E) departments and minor injury units
• Chiropodists
• Continence advisers
• Flu vaccinations
• Getting a hearing check
• Help to stop smoking
• NHS Direct
• NHS Walk-in Centres
• Opticians
• Screening for breast and bowel cancer
• Help with health costs
• Getting involved in your local area
• Complaining about the NHS
• Useful organisations