We try to keep our GP appointments for patients with more serious health problems.
Before you book an appointment to see a doctor please consider whether one of the below alternatives may be more appropriate.
Our receptionist team can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
Please read the information below or download the information here.
Self care
If you have a cough, cold, headache or other minor ailment try treating yourself at home first. Find out more about treatments for common minor ailments.
Please remember that self-care for common conditions can help free up our GPs’ time, making it easier to get an appointment when you have a more serious condition.
Pharmacy
Our practice is working closely with local pharmacists to support you with certain minor health conditions
It may be more appropriate to have your NHS consultation with a trained pharmacist instead of the GP practice. You can choose a pharmacy convenient to you and we will arrange this for you.
Your consultation will either be by phone or video call, or you can go into the pharmacy. With your consent, the pharmacist will let us know what happened at your consultation to make sure your medical record is updated.
Follow this link to see a poster about how we work with pharmacists
Contact a pharmacy yourself
Pharmacists are highly trained health professionals and can give you confidential health advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
Don’t wait for a GP appointment for coughs, colds, aches and pains. Just call your local pharmacy a call or drop in – there’s no need to make an appointment.
Your pharmacists can also help you decide if you need to see a doctor or nurse.
Click here for more information from the NHS about how pharmacies can help you.
GP’s Out of Hours Service
If you need assistance between 6-6:30pm on weekdays, please call the out of hours service on 0300 555 5252. At all other times, please call 111.
Minor Injuries Unit
Treat sprains and strains, broken bones (not hips), wound infections, minor burns and scalds, minor head injuries, insect and animal bites, minor eye injuries, injuries to the back, shoulder and chest. X-ray facilities are for shoulder, upper arm, collar bone, elbow, wrist, hand, ankle, foot, toe and knee.
Lewes Victoria Hospital 01273 474153 – Lewes: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm (not weekends).
Uckfield Community Hospital 01825 769999 – Weekdays Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.00am – 4.30pm, (closed for lunch between 12.30pm – 1.00pm). Weekdays 9.00am – 4.00pm and 12 noon – 6.00pm at weekends
Crowborough Memorial Hospital 01892 652284.
Minor Eye Conditions Service (MECS)
The MECS can help with almost all eye conditions except for: Conjunctivitis, sudden ongoing loss of vision, injuries to the eye, severe eye pain or patients with diabetes or those already under the hospital ophthalmologist, or children less than 3 years of age.
MECS is based at: Specsavers, Eastbourne, 8B Arndale Centre, Terminus Road, BN21 3QP. Always call before you visit: 01323 649767. Opening times: 8.45 -17.00 Monday – Saturday, and 10.00-16.00 Sunday.
Dentists
Need a dentist in daytime hours? Dental Helpline: 0300 1000 899.
Emergency Dental Treatment
This is for urgent, out of hours, emergency dental treatment, when your own dentist is closed (or if you do not have a dentist). NHS dental charges apply.
Lewes: 01273 486444. Lines open: Weekdays from 5.30pm. Weekends and bank holidays from 9.00am.
Eastbourne: 01323 449170. Lines open: Weekdays from 5.30pm. Weekends and bank holidays from 8.30am.
Hastings: 01424 850792. Lines open: Weekdays from 5.30pm. Weekends and bank holidays from 9.00am.
Emergency Contraception/Sexual Health
- At your GP practice or other local practices
- Local community-based clinics, Eastbourne 01323 416100 (www.eastsussexsexualhealth.co.uk)
- Claude Nicol Centre, The Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 664721
- The Circle Room (under 25s) at School Hill Surgery, Lewes 01273 480888
- Drop-in at Meridian Surgery, Peacehaven 01273 588200
- Morley Street Clinic, Brighton 01273 242091
- Pharmacies and Walk in Centre’s can often provide emergency contraception.
Walk In Centres
If the surgery where you are registered is not open, it is possible to see a GP at one of the three Walk in Centre’s, without having to register. Consultations are seven days a week between 8.00am and 8.00pm:
Eastbourne Station Walk In Centre: 01323 726650
Hastings Station Approach Walk in Centre: 01424 884410
Brighton Station Walk In Centre: 01273 203058
Sussex Mental Health Line
Available Monday to Friday 5pm to 9am, and 24 hours at weekends and Bank Holidays in East Sussex.
The Sussex Mental Health line is a telephone service offering support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression.
The service is also available to carers and healthcare professionals. You do not need an appointment.
- We are a service available to anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend.
- We provide support for people experiencing distress
- This service is not suitable for persons in Mental Health Crisis.
Tel: 0300 5000 101 – same number for Text Relay.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
Call 111 if:
- you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency
- you think you need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service
- you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
- you need health information or reassurance about what to do next
Click here for more information about how NHS 111 can help you.
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Before you go there, ask yourself, “Is it a real emergency?”
If not, please consider using other local health services before you visit A&E.
