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 an appointment with a practice nurse might be appropriate. They can help you with a wide range of medical problems.
Our receptionists can help you decide which is the right person for you to see.
There are also lots of other organisations there to help you. Details are on this page. If you are unsure who can help, Community Connectors can guide you to the best support for your needs.
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.
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.
Out of hours: NHS 111
If you need help when we are closed, call NHS 111 or visit their website 111.nhs.uk. They will put you in touch with the Out of Hours GP Service if required.
Hastings Walk In Centre
You can also attend the Walk in Centre based at Station Plaza Centre, Station Approach, Hastings TN34 1BA. Open 08:00 – 20:00 hrs every day.
A&E
A&E is for life-threatening accidents and emergencies only. Our nearest A&E is at:
The Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, TN37 7RD. Tel: 0300 131 4500
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.
Social prescribing
There are times when we all need support to address life’s challenges. Knowing how to access available support locally can make a big difference. Social Prescribing helps you to explore services, groups and activities that can support you to improve your health and emotional wellbeing. Examples include healthy lifestyles, active lives, befriending, counselling, housing, benefits, financial support, employment, training, getting involved with local groups and accessing specialist services and support.
Social prescribing in East Sussex is provided by Community Connectors. Their Team of Community Navigators will work with you to provide support and encouragement and create a personalised plan to help you connect with services in your community.
Read their Information Sheet or visit their website Community Connectors. Appointments are available at Battle Health Centre.
One You East Sussex
One You East Sussex can help you get back to a healthier you and support you to make simple changes towards a longer and happier life. They provide tools, motivational support and encouragement every step of the way to help you improve your health right away. Eat well, move more, be smokefree.
More information and to self-refer, visit their website oneyoueastsussex.org.uk. Appointments are available at Battle Health Centre.
Falls prevention
Are you at risk of falls? East Sussex County Council have a useful guide to reducing your risk of falls and provide help and support. Find out more.
Mental health self referral
We all go through low points at times in our lives and it is not unusual to experience symptoms such as stress, anxiety and depression.
You can self refer to Health in Mind which is a free NHS service for anyone in East Sussex experiencing these kinds of emotional or psychological difficulties. Whether it is 1:1 treatment, guided self help, educational courses or online treatment, they have skilled therapists that can provide the support you need to feel positive and in control once again. To access the service, contact them directly: www.healthinmind.org.uk Call 0300 00 30 130. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
You can also call Sussex Mental Healthline who provide telephone support and information to anyone experiencing mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. The service is also available to carers. You do not need an appointment. Telephone 0300 5000 101.
Staying Well Space
The Staying Well Space provides evening and weekend, recovery-focussed support to help you manage your mental health and prevent crisis. If you need urgent mental health support, outside of normal working hours, the Staying Well Space is here for you. Open 7 days a week; 5pm to 10.30pm on weekdays and 3pm to 10.30pm at weekends. Visit Staying Well Space or telephone 0800 0236475 or email [email protected]. Address: St Leonards-On-Sea Wellbeing Centre at Carisbrooke House, Stockleigh Road, TN38 0JP (directions on their website).
Sussex Recovery College
Sussex Recovery College offer educational courses that focus on mental health and recovery. They design their courses specially to increase your knowledge and skills and help promote self-management. The aim is to enable you to take control by becoming an expert in your own wellbeing, so you can get on with your life despite mental health challenges – whether yours or those of someone close to you. Visit Sussex Recovery College.
Community Midwives
Our Community Midwives are based at East Sussex Hospitals Trust. If you think you are pregnant, you can self-refer to the midwives here. They will guide you through your pregnancy and birth. It is also useful to let us know too, so we can update our records and be on hand to support you if needed. Visit East Sussex Hospitals Trust.
NHS.uk has lots of useful information about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby.
Parenting support
NSPCC provide support and tips to help you keep children safe from advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child.
Support & advice for children
Childline offer support for children with bullying, your body, feelings, relationships, home, school and lots more.
Accident prevention
RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) has advice on preventing accidents out & about for adults & children. The Child Accident Prevention Trust focus on children. There is advice on both sites about fire safety, burns, toys, strangulation, choking, poisoning, blind cords, batteries, cycling, car seats, falls, garden safety, e-cigarettes, electric shocks and more.
Child abuse
If you’re worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused:
- Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk
- If it’s not an emergency, call Sussex Police on 101 or contact East Sussex County Council’s Children’s & Families Team or call their Single Point of Assess (SPoA) Team on 01323 464222. You’ll be asked for your details, but you can choose not to share them.
You don’t need to be sure that a child or young person has been abused – it’s OK to report a suspicion. Child abuse includes physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and neglect. You can read more about the signs of child abuse.
Contact these groups if you want to discuss your concerns and get advice:
NSPCC (for adults) Telephone: 0808 800 5000
ChildLine (for children and young people) Telephone: 0800 1111 (free)
The ChildLine number won’t show up on your phone bill if you call from a landline or from most mobile networks.
Children in care & young care leavers
Become offer support for children in care & young care leavers.
Domestic violence
Domestic or sexual abuse and violence can happen to anyone. You are not alone. Here are some useful links:
National Abuse Helpline – freephone 24 hour 0808 2000 247 and online support available at nationaldahelpline.org.uk
NHS.uk for advice and information
The Portal provides advice and support for people in East Sussex
Safe Space Sussex provides a local online directory of victim and witness support services
Safe Lives have a guide on Staying safe at home during Covid-19
Woman’s Aid provide information and support plus ‘rail to refuge’ free train travel
Sussex Police are there to help and have a useful list of other support helplines.
Gypsy, Roma & Traveller Communities
Friends, Families & Travellers provide advice, advocacy & a service directory for Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities.
Dementia
If you’re becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of dementia. There’s lot of useful information at nhs.uk and Alzheimer’s Society.
The Alzheimer’s Society are currently providing a Dementia Connect Service. From practical advice about living with dementia, to someone to talk to when things get tough. The service is staffed by fully trained Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia advisers who can support patients and carers directly by phone, as well as connect them to a range of local services. Dementia Connect Telephone Support Line 0333 150 3456.
Bereavement Support
The death of someone close to you may be the most devastating and overwhelming experience that will ever happen to you. There are several organisations there to support you through this difficult time:
Sussex Bereavement Helpline 0345 60 80 198 Guide to support during Covid-19
St Michael’s Hospice help you through your bereavement
Cruse offer support, advice and information when someone dies.
At a Loss help the bereaved find suppor
