Health Services in Somerset

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Everyone living in the United Kingdom is entitled to free treatment by a family doctor and in hospital. You may need to prove that you are living here.
If you have had a serious accident or are very ill, and need medical treatment immediately, you should telephone 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance.
If you need general health advice, or want to know what services are available, you can call NHS Directon 0845 46 47.
The NHS is a very big and complex organisation, and it may be confusing trying to get the help you need. If you are not sure what to do, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0800 0851 067.

Family doctors – often called ‘GPs’ – look after your general health. They can provide advice and treatment when you become ill, issue you with a prescription to get medicines or send you to see a specialist doctor at a hospital. You need to register at a doctor’s surgery near where you live by going to the surgery and filling in a form.

If you need to see the doctor you should make an appointment by telephoning your surgery. If you become ill during the evening or at the weekend, when your doctor’s surgery is closed, you should call the Out of Hours Medical Service on 0845 408 8000.

There are a whole range of other health services too. These include:

Pharmacie s or Chemists which dispense medicines prescribed by a doctor. You will have to pay a charge unless you are under 18 or on benefits. They also sell many other medicines and can offer advice on minor illnesses.
Dentists who look after your teeth. You should join a dental surgery and have a check-up to find out if you need any treatment. You may need to pay for treatment unless you are under 18 or on benefits.
Opticians test you sight and supply glasses and contact lenses. Some people are able to get eye tests free of charge.
Health visitors and community nurses who visit certain patients at home.
Sexual health clinics which can offer contraception, advice about safe sex, and treatment for sexual diseases.
Mental health services if you are depressed, anxious or have other mental health problems.
Help to stop smoking.

To find further details of these services, visit the Somerset NHS website.

There are two types of hospital:

General hospitals provide the full range of medical care including surgery. If you need to be seen in a general hospital, you will be sent there by your doctor. General hospitals have Accident and Emergency Departments where you can go if you have had an accident or become suddenly very ill. If you have a severe injury or a serious accident, you should telephone 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance.

There are general hospitals with Accident and Emergency departments at:

Community hospitals provide care closer to home for patients who have been in a general hospital, or whose illness is not serious enough to need treatment at a general hospital. Many, but not all, community hospitals have Minor Injury Units or Treatment Centres which can treat you if you have had a minor accident or have become suddenly ill.

For further details about the hospitals in Somerset and surrounding areas, visit the Somerset NHS website.

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