Who should I see?

Who’s the best clinician for your healthcare needs?

The General Practice teams at all Mereside Medical practices now include a wide range of clinicians, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, advanced nurse practitioners, physiotheraphists, pharmacists, social prescribers, coaches, and more. Together, they can offer you a wider and more specialised range of services more effectively and more rapidly than was previously possible in traditional General Practice.

Thanks to askmyGP we operate a same day service for our patients. All healthcare requests on askmyGP are assessed by a senior clinician, usually the Duty Doctor. They will then assign your request to the most clinically appropriate member of the team, based on the information you have provided.

Please see our Team page for more information about what each of our teams can offer you.

Your assigned clinician will contact you to discuss your symptoms further. Where both appropriate and possible they will use your preferred contact method. If they believe you need to be seen in person they will arrange for you to attend the practice, usually the same day, or another day of your choosing. If, after speaking to you, the clinician feels you would be better assisted by speaking to a different member of the team then they will arrange that.

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, readily treatable conditions can make it easier for patients with more serious health needs to get an appointment.

Your pharmacist can help too

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 give 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 about how pharmacies can help you.

Dental problems

Please be aware that we are not able to provide treatment or advice for dental problems.  If you are registered with a dentist and feel you need to be seen urgently, please contact them directly.

If you are not registered with a dentist then please call 111 for advice about how to access emergency dental care.

The NHS website has excellent information about how to deal with toothache and dental abscesses, should you need it.

NHS 111

NHS 111 can help if you think you need non-emergency medical help when we are closed (out-of-hours).

You can get help from NHS 111:

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.

Minor Injuries Unit, Princess of Wales Hospital, Lynn Road, Ely, CB6 1DN

The Minor Injuries Unit is able to advise & treat a wide range of minor ailments. No appointment is necessary.

Opening Hours:  8.30am-6pm, seven days a week, including weekends and bank holidays (closed on Christmas Day)

X-Ray Service Hours: 9am-4.45pm, Monday to Friday; 1pm-4:45pm Sat/Sun/Bank Holidays..

Telephone Number: 01353 656675

Conditions that can be treated at the Minor Injuries Units include:

  • wounds – cuts and bruises (Tetanus immunisation can also be given)
  • bites – human, insect and animal
  • minor burns and scalds
  • muscle and joint injuries – strains, sprains, limb fractures
  • sports injuries
  • emergency contraception
  • eye problems e.g. removal of foreign bodies, conjunctivitis
  • earache (patients aged 2 years and over)
  • cystitis (not children or male patients)
  • minor head injuries (with no loss of consciousness)

Services that the Minor Injuries Unit can NOT provide:

  • repeat prescriptions
  • care for dental problems
  • treatment for long-standing conditions
  • travel vaccinations
  • medicals
  • sick certificates

Accident and Emergency

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 or dial 999 for an ambulance.

Date published: 17th July, 2023
Date last updated: 5th October, 2023