Where can I get help for health out of hours?
If you need support for your health outside of the standard opening hours of your local GP, there are places that you can go for support.
Where you can go to get help out of hours
Out of hours services are provided by London & Central West (LCW). You can call them on 111. They operate from St Charles’ Hospital and provide GPs to look after patients when GP practices are closed. They are open from 6.30pm to 8am during the week, and 24 hours a day on weekends and bank holidays. To provide care, LCW may offer advice over the phone, visit patients at home or ask patients to visit the hospital for further assessment and care.
The NHS pledges to provide services at a time that's convenient for you. They have produced guidance on how best to access services outside of hours.
- Phone NHS 111: This service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides medical advice and the details of the services closest to you that help you deal with your need following a medical assessment.
- Visit your local pharmacy: Your pharmacist can help you with some issues. Find out how.
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Visit your nearest NHS walk-in centre: If you need treatment for minor injuries or illnesses such as cuts, bruises and rashes, you can visit your nearest NHS walk-in centre, urgent care centre or minor injuries unit.
Charing Cross Hospital Walk-in Centre, Fulham Palace Road, W6 8RF (Tel: 020 8846 1005) is open from 8am to 10pm on Monday to Friday and from 9am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital Urgent Care Centre, 369 Fulham Road, SW10 9NH (Tel: 020 3315 8080) Located within the A&E department, it is open 24 hours a day.
Hammersmith Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, DuCane Road, W12 0HS only accepts patients with booked appointments who have been referred by NHS 111. There is no walk-in service and there is also no A&E department at the hospital.
Parsons Green Walk-In Centre, 5 - 7 Parsons Green, Fulham, SW6 4UL (Tel: 020 8102 4000) is open from 8.15am to 6pm on Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. On bank holidays it is open from 9am to 5pm except when it is closed on Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
St Mary's Hospital Urgent Treatment Centre, Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother building, South Wharf Road, W2 1NY. (Tel: 020 3312 5707). Open 24 hours.
These are not suitable for treating long-term conditions.
When to visit an urgent care centre
Take a look at the NHS guidance on when to visit an urgent care centre (walk in centre) to find out if this is the right service for your health needs.
Should I go to A&E?
Accident and Emergency departments are for serious or life-threatening emergencies and aren't an alternative to a GP appointment. You should go to your nearest A&E if you require urgent medical attention.
For example, if you're experiencing:
- loss of consciousness
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- fits that are not stopping
- severe bleeding that won't stop
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- stroke
- major trauma
There are A&E departments at Charing Cross Hospital, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and St Mary's Hospital.
Read the guidance from the NHS to learn more about when to go to A&E.
Out-of-hours medicines
Running out of your medication during the holidays or over the weekend can be a big worry. If you run out of the medication you need outside of your GP practice’s opening hours and need some urgently, there are a few steps you can take to get an emergency supply.