Your health

The information provided is aimed at guiding you through the services that are available in north east Essex, and how to choose the service that best suits your needs such as:

When to Self-Care

You can take care of those niggling pains, or an upset tummy, without having to queue or risk passing your illnesses on to others. Keeping your cupboards at home stocked with the basics, such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies and a nit comb for your children means you can treat yourself and your family all year around.

When to visit a Pharmacy

A quick trip to the local pharmacy is usually enough to get the treatment needed for most minor illnesses . You may not know it but community pharmacists are qualified to offer expert advice there and then, evening or weekends, there are private consultation rooms available in most pharmacies if you would like to discuss anything in private. Don’t worry – if they think you need to be seen somewhere else they will tell you.

When to go and see your GP

Your GP is your best bet with all complex and on-going conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, or a heart condition, as well as any urgent health problems. For those with kids, many GP surgeries will see children the same day for urgent appointments.

Did you know GPs are also available out of hours when your surgery is closed? If you require a GP outside of normal opening hours, please call the GP out-of-hours service NHS 111.

When to call NHS 111

NHS 111 makes it easier for you to access local NHS healthcare services. It provides one, easy-to-remember number that is free to call from landlines or mobiles.

NHS 111 is staffed by a team of fully trained advisors, supported by experienced nurses and paramedics. They will ask questions to assess your symptoms, provide healthcare advice and/or direct you to a local health service that can help you best.

Walk in Centre and Minor Injury units

Clacton Minor Injuries Unit

Clacton and District Hospital CO15 1LH

Open every day of the year – 9am to 9pm

Telephone 01255 201594

X-ray is available at the MIU as follows:

9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-4pm at weekends and public holidays

The Minor Injuries Unit is staffed by nurses with specialist skills and experience, who can order and interpret X-rays and prescribe treatments.

The Minor Injuries Unit is a quicker, more local alternative to Accident and Emergency for patients with less serious or minor injuries. The MIU should not be used as an alternative to visiting your own GP for minor illness or emergency contraception.

Injuries which can be treated at the MIU include:

Wounds
Sprains
Strains
Minor dislocations
Suspected Fractures
Removal of foreign bodies
Burns and scalds
Bites and stings
Minor head injuries

Harwich Minor Injuries Unit

Fryatt Memorial Hospital

419 Main Road Harwich CO12 4EX

Open every day of the year – 9am to 5pm

Telephone 01255 201201

X-ray is available at the MIU

Monday to Friday 08:45-12:30pm

Blood tests are performed in the Minor Injuries unit on weekdays between 8am and 11am. No appointment needed, just remember to bring along your blood test form.

The Minor Injuries Unit is staffed by nurses with specialist skills and experience, who can order and interpret X-rays and prescribe treatments.

Injuries which can be treated at the MIU include:

Wounds
Sprains
Strains
Minor dislocations
Suspected Fractures
Removal of foreign bodies
Burns and scalds
Bites and stings
Minor head injuries

When to go to A&E

Accident and Emergency is specifically to treat people with serious and life threatening conditions only and the doctors and nurses there are specially trained to do this important job. By carefully considering the best place for your injury or illness, you will assist the doctors and nurses in A&E to concentrate on treating those who need to be there.

Services near you

Using the widget below you can search the NHS Choices directory to find local services near to you.

Walk In Centre – Open 7am – 10pm, every day of the year!

Part of the Primary Care Centre, Turner Road, Colchester CO4 5JR

Free parking!

Telephone 01206 314015

The North Colchester Healthcare Centre in Turner Road Colchester is a GP Practice which incorporates a Walk In Centre service. Patients do not need an appointment to be seen by a Clinician.

The service is available from 7am to 10pm 7 days per week

GP REQUESTED BLOOD TESTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE BETWEEN 7am AND 2pm MONDAY TO FRIDAY

The Centre can offer the following services:

Minor illness
Minor throat/chest infections
Minor stomach complaints
Urine infections
Earache and ear infection - Please note that the Centre does not offer ear irrigation (removal of wax
Skin complaints, including rashes, minor allergic reactions and insect bites/stings
Minor Injury
Minor wounds, bruising, swelling - Please note that the Centre does not offer wound suturing
Minor head injury with no loss of consciousness or vomiting
Muscle, bone and joint injuries e.g. sprains, strains and soft tissue injury - Please note that the Centre now has x-ray facilities
Dental advice - Please note that the Centre gives advice only and suggested pain relief
Eye problems e.g. infection, removal of foreign objects
Emergency Contraception and Advice
Smoking Cessation
Healthcare Checks for 40-74 year olds - Please note that checks cannot be carried out without a letter from your GP
These are just examples of the type of minor injuries and illnesses that can be assisted with at the Centre, if you are unsure, please ring 01206 314015.The Centre is UNABLE to offer the following services:
Repeat Prescriptions - Please contact your own GP surgery for repeat prescriptions
Cardiac Chest Pain
Suturing
Neck Pain following a Road Traffic Accident