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.
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.
Cranbrook Pharmacy, which will be able to provide information and advice, is located at 151 Younghayes Road, Cranbrook EX5 7DR, and can be contacted on 01404 514456.
Click here for more information about how pharmacies can help you.
NHS dental services
Patients in need of urgent care should contact their own dentist. Patients without their own dentist should contact one of the following:
- Barnstaple Dental Access Centre – 01271 324878;
- Exeter Dental Access Centre – 01392 405700;
- Plymouth Dental Access Centre – 0845 1558070;
- Torbay & Southern Devon Community Dental Service – 01803 217777.
In the out-of-hours period, patients with an urgent dental problem should call 01392 823682.
A dental helpline is available to assist patients to find a NHS dental service, this maybe for someone who wants to find a local practice to join for routine care, or have an urgent treatment need. The helpline can be contacted on 01392 822348 or 0845 0020034, between 8am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
Alternatively, you can email devondentalhelpline@nhs.net.
However, please note, in areas where access to a NHS dentist is difficult there may be a waiting list in operation.
NHS 111
111 is the free NHS non-emergency number.
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation.
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
The nearest unit is at Honiton Hospital.
A&E
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.
