Getting the right care in the right place

Health services over Easter holidays web banner
Most GP surgeries in Tayside will be closed on Monday 1 and Monday 8 April. Please check your practice’s opening times and make sure you know where to get the right care in the right place.
If you have a non-urgent health issue over the Easter holidays, please wait until your GP surgery reopens or contact a local pharmacy. You can also access self help guides for a range of common illnesses at www.nhsinform.scot 

Pharmacies open on Monday 1 April and Monday 8 April

If you think you need A&E but it’s not life-threatening, call 111 day or night. Do not attend A&E or call 111 with a problem that you would normally see your own GP with.

If it’s an emergency, call 999 or go to A&E.

Dental services

Dundee Dental Hospital will be closed for the public holiday on 1 April.  If you have a dental emergency, contact your dentist and listen to the end of any message.

The Public Dental Service (PDS) will be open during the morning only for dental emergencies for patients who are not registered with a dentist and PDS core registered patients.  Please call your local PDS clinic at 8.30am for a same day urgent appointment.  PDS clinics are in Angus (01241 432481), Dundee (01382 596990) and Perth & Kinross (01738 450550). After hours, call NHS24 on 111.

Vaccinations

Our vaccination centres are closed on Monday 1 April.

They will be open as normal on Monday 8 April. If you have an appointment please attend as scheduled.

Repeat medications

Please order and collect your regular medication if required before the public holidays.

There is no need to order additional medication.

Providing repeat medication out of hours may delay treatment of patients with an urgent problem.

Getting the right care in the right place

It is really important that people know where to go to get the right care for their needs. This helps to make sure our GP and A&E services are available for people who really need them. Below is a list of alternative services that can help you to get the care you need quickly.
Local Emergency Departments remain open for those who have a life-threatening emergency.  However, to ensure patients have the fastest access to the treatment they need, anyone with a non-life threatening condition should call NHS 24 on 111 first, day or night, to be directed to the right NHS service.

If ED is the most appropriate place to provide the right care, patients will either be directly referred there by NHS 24 or a telephone or video consultation will be arranged with a senior clinical decision maker.

You can find out more about virtual consultations through our clinical assessment hub - the Flow Navigation Centre - in the following video.



For further information on where to access the right medical care, watch our video below or visit www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/right-care-right-place 



We have operated a redirection policy at our Emergency Departments for a number of years. This means patients who present at our EDs with minor illness or injury are assessed early by a senior doctor or nurse to ensure that they do not require emergency care before they are redirected to the most appropriate service.

This ensures that patients are seen by the best person for their needs and also ensures our specialist staff can see those needing emergency treatment as quickly as possible.

Here’s a short video that lets you know what happens when you come to our EDs.


Pharmacy

Your community pharmacy can offer advice and treatment for minor ailments. Please consider visiting a pharmacy before calling your GP or NHS24 as many ailments do not require you to see a doctor.
Know who to turn to - pharmacy

GP Surgery

To register with a GP surgery please contact your local practice directly or visit NHS inform
Know who to turn to - GP surgery

Optician

You can call your local optician for free NHS eye-care. They will assess the problem and advise you if it is urgent and can refer directly to the hospital if the problem is more serious. Outwith opening hours please call NHS 24 on 111. Please do not turn up to your local optician without an appointment. 
Know who to turn to - Optician

Dentist

If you have a dental problem please contact your own dentist. If it's an emergency and your dentist is closed please listen to and follow the instructions on their voicemail message.

If you are not registered with a dentist you should call your local Public Dental Service clinic at 8.30am weekdays for a same day emergency appointment - Angus 01241 432481, Dundee 01382 596990, Perth & Kinross 01738 450550.  Out-of-hours and at weekends, call NHS24 on 111 for advice and to arrange next day care.
Know who to turn to - Dentist

Mental Wellbeing Support

For support with mental health and wellbeing you can speak to your GP, call NHS 24 on 111 or visit www.crisistayside.scot.nhs.uk
Know who to turn to - Mental wellbeing

NHS 24 (111)

You can call 111, day or night, if you think you need A&E, but it is not life threatening. You can still call 111 when your GP surgery is closed and you are too ill to wait. You can also access self help guides for a range of common illnesses at www.nhsinform.scot
Know who to turn to - NHS24

Minor Injury Service

If you have a minor injury that you cannot treat by yourself at home, call NHS 24 on 111 for clinical advice and, if required, a phone or video consultation from an emergency department doctor, or an appointment at a local minor injury unit (MIU) or community care and treatment centre (CCAT). Please do not attend an MIU or CCAT without an appointment.
Know who to turn to - MIIU

Emergency Department

If your condition is life threatening or you need an ambulance, call 999.
Know who to turn to - Emergency Department
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1926 - 2022