As qualified healthcare professionals, we can refere you to a local pharmacists who can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

• coughs
• colds
• sore throats
• tummy trouble
• aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

• Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.

Our nearestr Pharmacies are Cohens and the Hinckley Pharmacy

We have appointments available in our extended acccess clinics weekdays after 6.30pm and on a Saturdays from 9am till 5pm.

We commision the Extended Access service to be run on our behalf by the Hinckley and Bosworth Federation. 

Patients can access the same services as they would during core hours at Castle Mead or Pine Close and appointments are available to all our patients and are with local GPs, ANP, Practice Nurses, HCAs, Pharmacists who cover the service for the Federation. 

If you are offered one of these appointments when calling either Castle Mead or Pine Close to access service please DO NOT reject it as any treatment plans and results are added to your notes by the staff in Extended Access for clinical staff at Castle Mead to see in the future.

However you choose to contact us, we may offer you a consultation:

• face to face at the surgery (this is our default appointment)
• by phone
• on a video call
• by asking a routine question using the contact us box at the top of this page. Please DO NOT use this for Urgent or Emergency advice.

Appointments by phone, video call or by using the contact box will be more flexible and often means you get help sooner.

N/B - We no longer take any clinical or administrational request via our practice email. This is due to the amount of emails that come in to this address from external services and other healthcare providers.

To cancel your appointment:

• using the GP online system via the link at the top of this page
• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• phone us on Hinckley: 01455637659 SG: 01455212526 from 8am
• reply CANCEL to your appointment reminder text message

When you call in the reception team, as a default, will book a face to face appointment with a member of the clinical team however you can choose to have a phone call if you wish. The majority of issues you present with can be deal with over the phone however reception will provide advice if they feel it is more appropriate for you to come to the surgery for an examination and they will book you in.

If you are housebound and need an appointment, we will do a home visit. We will phone you first to understand what you need.

To request a home visit, it’s helpful if you phone the practice before 10:30am if possible.

To request an urgent appointment for today or tomorrow (Monday to Friday):

• please contact us by phone on 0145563765 or 01455212526 from 8am so reception can signpost you to an appropriate member of the clinical team.

The reception team at Castle Mead Medical Centre are 'Active Signposters'. Click here for more information.

You can book an appointment with the methods below unfortunately via email is not one of these emthods, to request a routine appointment in the next 7 days:

• use your NHS account (through the NHS website or NHS App)
• use our online system via the link at the top of this page
• phone us on 0145563765 or 01455212526 from 8am
• visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm

When you get in touch, we’ll ask what you need help with.We will use the information you give us to choose the most suitable doctor, nurse or health professional to help you.

If you need medical help now, use NHS 111 online or Call 111.

NHS 111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.

Call 999 in a medical or mental health emergency. This is when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.

Please tell us:

• Unfortunately we can't ensure you will get the health care professional of your choice.
• if you would prefer to consult with the doctor or nurse by phone, face-to-face, by video call or by text or email
• if you need an interpreter
• if you have any other access or communication needs

Castle Mead Medical Centre is a Signposting Practice

The Situation

It’s no secret that your NHS is under pressure. Illnesses are becoming more complicated, the population is living longer and budgets are being cut.

The result is that your GP's patient list is growing. This, as some patients may have experienced, means that securing an available appointment with your GP is becoming more and more difficult.

The solution

To save you the hassle of a trip to you GP Surgery, your NHS now offers a number of community services and self-care options that you can access without the need for seeing your GP in the first place.

So how are you, the patient, able to find out about what services and options are available to you?

The reception team at Castle Mead Medical Centre are  'Active Signposters'

What does this mean?

If you request an appointment at your surgery, the receptionist may ask you the reason why you are calling.

If you provide the reason for your call, there is a possibility that the receptionist may be able to give you information about any services or self -care sources that you could access for your symptoms, without the need for seeing your GP.

It is then your choice what to do with the information you are provided with.

What does this mean?

Active Signposters provide information NOT advice. You choose what to do with the information you are given.

You do not have to say what your symptoms are if you don't wish to, but doing so may get you the help and information that you need more easily (and possibly, quickly).

Receptionists are NOT trying to be doctors or make medical assessments.

Receptionists are duty bound to respect your confidentiality as all times, in exactly the same way as a GP or Nurse.

GPs and their Staff are supporting and encouraging this programme.

'Active Signposting' is a national programme being rolled out across the country - funded by NHS England and promoted by RCGP.

For more information on community services and self-care sources available to patients in Leicestershire: https://psnc.org.uk/leicestershire-and-rutland-lpc/our-news/self-care-resources/

Get the best help, first time.

Call 999 in an emergency or if somebody is seriously ill or injured - Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. A call operator will advise you on what will happen next.

Examples of medical emergencies include (but are not limited to):

Chest pain

Difficulty in breathing

Unconsciousness

Severe loss of blood

Severe burns or scalds

Choking

Severe allergic reactions.

If you’re unsure whether or not it’s an emergency, you can dial 111 (NHS 111) at any time.

Do you really need to go to the Emergency Department?

Emergency departments should only be used in an emergency or life-threatening situation. If you don't need emergency care, please consider one of the alternatives below.

Urgent & Emergency care:

For urgent medical attention or if you require medication in an emergency when the surgery is closed emergency care is provided by DHU Healthcare:

When to visit an Urgent Treatment Centre (walk-in centre or minor injury unit)?

You can go to an urgent treatment centre if you need urgent medical attention, but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Call NHS 111

If you have an urgent but non life-threatening medical concern, you can get advice by calling NHS 111. Our highly trained advisers will ask about your symptoms and then advise you on what to do next.

NHS 111 is available 24/7 and is free.

The adviser will direct you to the right place of care, which can include:

sending an ambulance

connecting you to a nurse,

emergency dentist or GP

community pharmacist

booking a face-to-face appointment (where available)

providing self-care advice

Ways to contact NHS 111

Telephone: 111

Website: 111.nhs.uk

Urgent Treatment Centres

An Urgent Treatment Centre can give you advice and treatment for minor injuries and ailments. You don’t always need an appointment and anyone can use the service – including those who are not registered with a GP. Urgent Treatment Centre opening hours can be found on NHS.UK

Find your nearest urgent treatment centre