NHS services

 

Many Healthcare Services are easily accessible online. The links below provide access information to Digital Health Services.

NHS Website

The NHS website helps you take control of your health and wellbeing.

NHS App

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services using your smartphone or tablet.

Use the NHS App to:

• order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy where you would like to collect them
• book and manage appointments
• view your GP health record to see information, like your allergies and medicines (if your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results)
• book and manage coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations
• get your NHS COVID Pass (there are also other ways to get your COVID Pass)
• register your organ donation decision
• choose how the NHS uses your data
• view your NHS number (find out what your NHS number is)
• use NHS 111 online to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you

Find out more about the NHS app by visiting  NHS.UK.

For advice on how to access these services visit the Connect to Support NHS app page which shows helpful instruction videos.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is a telephone helpline where if you are worried about a medical concern, you can call 111 and speak to a fully trained advisor. For less urgent health needs, contact your GP or local pharmacist.

Depending on the situation the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist or a GP. They can also arrange face-to-face appointments if required.

Further information about NHS 111 is available on the NHS website.

NHS Waitless App

The NHS across Lincolnshire has introduced a free smartphone app which is available to download now. The Waitless App - Lincolnshire ICB is designed to help people avoid long wait times when urgent care is needed. A full list of services at each site as well as waiting time, travel time and queue numbers are displayed. Pharmacies in the area are also shown as an alternative treatment option. 

 

Choosing a GP

You have the legal right to choose a GP practice that best suits your needs. You can find and compare GP practices according to facilities, services, access and performance before you decide. Ask friends, relatives and others you trust for their thoughts and recommendations.

The GP practice must accept you, unless there are reasonable grounds to refuse you. These must not relate to race, gender, social class, age, religion, sexual orientation, appearance, disability or a medical condition. It must also give you reasons for its decision in writing.

A GP practice may refuse to register you because:

• it has no capacity to take on new patients
• it may not be accepting patients that do not live within its practice boundary
• in your particular circumstances, it may not be appropriate for you to register with a practice that is a long way from where you live

Registering with a GP

When you have found a practice you like, you'll have to formally register with it as an NHS patient by submitting a registration form to them. The GMS1 form is available in the practice, or you can download it from this site. Forms may vary slightly and some practices use their own version.

When you have completed and returned the form, NHS England will transfer your medical records to your new practice and write to you to confirm your registration as a patient with that practice.

For all information about how to register with a GP practice, visit the NHS website.

 

GP Appointments & Online Consultations

Before scheduling an appointment with your GP, it's worth considering your local pharmacist as they can often provide the assistance you require, saving you the wait time for a doctor's appointment. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and can offer a broader range of health services than you might realise.

 

Booking an Appointment with Your GP

Your local medical practice should be able to provide you with prompt access to a GP or another healthcare professional when you need it urgently. Additionally, if your situation is not urgent, you can usually book appointments in advance by ringing your practice or using their Online Consultation Tool.

 

Explore Online Consultation Tools

Many GP practices now offer online services that allow you to conveniently book or cancel appointments and even request repeat prescriptions from the comfort of your home. Furthermore, some healthcare facilities are adopting innovative methods for consulting with GPs and other healthcare professionals, including virtual consultations conducted online or over the phone.  

 

 

The video shown above has been sourced from the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership GP Online Consultation tool.

 

GP Enhanced Access Hours across Lincolnshire

There are general practice appointments available at your own GP practice, or at other local NHS practices, on weekday evenings from 6.30pm – 8.00pm and on Saturdays from 9.00am – 5.00pm. To book appointments at these times, contact your GP practice.

Appointments will be available to book 2 weeks in advance, or on the day if there is
availability. There will be a choice of ways to access appointments depending on clinical
need, including face to face and remote appointments via telephone or online.

For further details of this service please visit Enhanced Access hours, including evenings and Saturday openings - Lincolnshire ICB

 

 

Outside normal surgery hours you can still phone your GP practice, but you'll usually be directed to an out-of-hours service. The out-of-hours period is from 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays and all day at weekends and on bank holidays.

Out-of-hours cover may include some or all of the services below:

• GPs working in A&E departments or urgent care centres, including minor injury units.
• teams of healthcare professionals working in primary care centres, A&E departments, minor injury units, urgent care centres.
• healthcare professionals (other than doctors) making home visits, following a detailed clinical assessment
• ambulance services moving patients to places where they can be seen by a doctor or nurse, to reduce the need for home visits

Details of Urgent Care Services can be found on the Lincolnshire Community Health Services website.

Dental emergency and out of hours care

If you need urgent treatment, please contact your usual dental practice, as they may be able to see you or direct you to an urgent dental care service. If you do not have a regular dentist, contact NHS 111 for advice on where you can get urgent care.

 

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust launched a new Urgent Community Response service in October 2021.

Adults with complex health needs who have a very urgent care need, including the risk of being hospitalised, are able to access urgent support from this service within two hours. A multi-disciplinary team provides patients with the care they need to remain independent and avoid hospital admission. The service is community-based, supporting patients in their usual place of residence. The support available includes assessment and short-term interventions.

The Urgent Community Response compliments a range of existing options already available via primary care home visits, East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust and LIVES falls response, and so on.

Health and social care professionals, voluntary and third sector partners, can make referrals by calling 0300 123 4868, option 8. 

The service operates Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm, with referrals accepted until 6.30pm. 

Further information can be found at Urgent Community Response :: Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust

 

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and use their clinical expertise, together with their practical knowledge, to advise you on minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, as well as healthy eating and stopping smoking.

Pharmacists can also help you decide whether you need to see another medical health professional.

They can help you consider the alternatives next time you're thinking of making a GP appointment.

All pharmacies provide the following services:

• prescription medicines
• repeat prescriptions
• disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
• advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living

Other services that may be available from your local pharmacy include:

• advice on alcohol consumption
• advice on drug addiction
• support for carers
• chlamydia screening and treatment service
• condom supply service
• emergency hormonal contraception service
• emergency supply of prescription medicines
• flu vaccination service
• independent prescribing by pharmacists – some pharmacists can now prescribe prescription-only medicines for certain medical conditions
• medicines use reviews
• minor ailment service
• needle and syringe exchange service
• New Medicine Service (NMS)
• NHS Health Check – blood pressure, cholesterol or blood glucose testing
• pregnancy testing
• stop smoking service
• stop smoking voucher service
• supervised consumption of prescribed medicines
• weight management service

To find your nearest pharmacy, use the Lincolnshire Community Pharmacies website. 

There are a number of options available for you to order your repeat prescription:

• online – visit your GP Practice website for more information
• NHS App
• through the post – to your GP Practice

Further information on how to order repeat prescriptions online can be found on the NHS website. Other information on prescription charges and how pharmacists can help you with medicines and medical advice is also available on the NHS website. 

 

 

Vaccination is different from giving medicine to an unwell person to make them better. The benefits of vaccination are invisible. The idea is that you or your child won't become ill from the disease that the vaccine prevents.

All medicines have side effects however, vaccines are among the safest medicines and the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the risk of side effects. They're not 100% effective in every person, but they're the best defence against the epidemics that used to kill or permanently disable millions of children and adults.

Routine Vaccinations

A checklist of the vaccines that are routinely offered to everyone in the UK free of charge on the NHS, and the ages at which they should ideally be given, can be found on the NHS website.

The list includes vaccines for special groups and travel vaccines available free on the NHS.

Adult Immunisations

Most adults between the ages of 18 and 65 do not normally need vaccines unless they are at greater risk of contracting a specific disease. This risk can be increased due to occupation, pregnancy, illness, treatment for certain conditions, a suppressed immune system, injury or travelling to areas where diseases are more prevalent. People over the age of 65 are also considered to be an "at risk" group.

The vaccines available for "at risk" people include Flu, Chickenpox, BCG (TB), Hepatitis B, MMR (for non-immune adults) and MenACWY (for students).

Vaccinations for pregnant women include Whooping cough and DTaP/IPV (4-in-1 diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio). For further information about vaccinations during pregnancy please visit the NHS website.

The vaccines available for over 65s include Pneumococcal PPV vaccine and the annual Flu vaccine.

There is also an additional Shingles vaccine for over 70s.

COVID Vaccinations

You can book your COVID vaccinations online by visiting www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/covid-19-services/covid-19-vaccination-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/ or by calling 119. Please note that this service may not be available all year round.

For further information about accessing the service please visit lincolnshire.icb.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab/.

Flu Vaccines

Many adults, most children and all pregnant women are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Find out who is eligible and where you can get the flu vaccine at www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine.

Community pharmacies also offer the flu vaccination, and appointments can be booked using the National Booking Service or by calling 119. You can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or if you are a BSL user.

For a list of the community pharmacies and a map showing their location, visit the Lincolnshire Community Pharmacies site.

Children's Immunisations

Benefits and risks of vaccinations

All medicines have side effects. However, vaccines are among the safest and the benefits of vaccinations far outweigh the risk of side effects.

Having a vaccination is much safer than not having one. They're not 100% effective in every child, but they're the best defence against the epidemics that used to kill or permanently disable millions of children and adults.

When you're considering a vaccination for yourself or your child, it's natural to focus on the potential side effects. But a better approach is to try to balance the benefits of having a vaccine against the chances of harm. Further information about the benefits and side effects of vaccinations can be found on the NHS website.

Specific information about side effects of vaccines and medicines can be found via pharmaceutical company websites or patient information leaflet. If you do not have the patient information leaflet, you can view one via the electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC).

If you think that you or someone you are with may be having a serious allergic reaction to a medicine, phone 999 and ask for immediate medical help.

Contact your GP or pharmacist immediately if:

• you think you have a side effect that is listed as severe in your medicine's patient information leaflet (PIL)
• you have a side effect you think is serious

You don't need to see your GP with mild side effects, such as nausea, if you feel you can manage these on your own. Your pharmacist should also be able to tell you if the side effects need further investigation by your GP.

If you have questions or concerns before a vaccination, speak to your GP or health professional. 

 

How to find a NHS dentist

There is no need to register with a dentist in the same way as with a GP because you are not bound to a catchment area.

Simply find a dental practice that's convenient for you, whether it's near your home or work, and phone them to see if there are any appointments available.

If you do not have a regular dental practice or are new to the area, you can search for an NHS dentist near you.

Dental practices won't always have the capacity to take on new NHS patients. You may have to join a waiting list, look for a different dentist who is taking on new NHS patients, or be seen privately.

Once you find a dental practice, you may have to fill in a registration form at your first visit, which is purely to add you to their patient database. However, that does not mean you have guaranteed access to an NHS dental appointment in the future.

Alternatively patients can contact HWLincs on 01205 820892 or the Lincolnshire Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0845 602 4384. They provide confidential advice and support to patients, carers and relatives and can help by providing information about other dental practices who are accepting new NHS patients.

 

Understanding NHS dental charges

For information on NHS dental charges visit the NHS website.

 

Dental emergency and out of hours care

If you need urgent treatment, please contact your usual dental practice, as they may be able to see you or direct you to an urgent dental care service. If you do not have a regular dentist, contact NHS 111 for advice on where you can get urgent care.

Do not contact your GP, as they will not be able to offer urgent or emergency dental care.

 

Dental treatment for people with special needs

Some dentists may be able to treat people with special needs in their surgery. However, some people may not be able to get to their dental practice because of a disability or medical condition. In this case, the dentist should refer the patient to a more specialised dental service. Ask your dentist what is needed for a referral and if it is suitable in your case.

Specialised dental services are provided by the Special Care Dentistry Service Lincolnshire. Community dental services are available in a number of locations to ensure everyone can have access to dental health. These include specialist health centres and mobile clinics, as well as home visits or visits in nursing and care homes.

Some hospitals or health centres also help people who need specialist care and may be able to offer treatment under sedation or general anaesthetic.

The Special Care Dentistry Service in Lincolnshire is largely a ‘referral only’ service providing high quality care and treatment for patients that are resident including homeless and socially excluded groups, within the county of Lincolnshire (excluding north and north-east Lincolnshire) that meet the criteria.

For patients who meet the criteria they offer the following services:

• Children and adults with additional needs
• Domiciliary visits (home visits)
• General anaesthetic
• Plus size
• Sedation

Referrals are taken from general dental practitioners and health and social care professionals. Self-referrals are also welcome for some services. To see the full criteria please see this leaflet or visit Community Dental Services.

General information about dental treatment for people with special needs is available on the NHS website.

 

When you visit an optician for an eye test, you'll be examined by an ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist who is trained to recognise abnormalities and conditions such as cataracts or glaucoma.

Ophthalmic practitioners will prescribe and fit glasses and contact lenses, and, if necessary, they will refer you to a GP or a hospital eye clinic for further investigations. Sometimes you'll be referred to a specialist optometrist for a referral refinement.

Find your local optician services.

Further information about visiting opticians is available on the NHS website.

 

Whether you are planning a baby, already pregnant or have a young family, we hope you will find lots of useful information about what to expect and what is available to you in Lincolnshire. The Better Births Lincolnshire website provides information and advice on items such as :

• Planning a baby
• Fit for pregnancy
• Finding out you’re pregnant
• Care during pregnancy
• Birth & beyond
• Your baby
• Extra care
• Support for you & your family
• Useful contacts

Take a look further and visit Better Births Lincolnshire (betterbirthlincolnshire.co.uk) for more information.

 

Talking therapies can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.

Which therapy you are offered depends on which one has been shown to be most helpful for your symptoms.

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.

You can access talking therapies on the NHS.

A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly to an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT) without a referral from a GP.

For further information and next steps see NHS Talking Therapies.

 

Lincolnshire residents now have access to an innovative new pain management service.

Building on the existing pain service, the new offering delivers enhanced outcomes for patients.

The service offers patients:

• Quicker access to care
• Appointments that are accessible offering patient choice across different sites
• Resources to support and sustain self-help
• Access to a multidisciplinary team (incl. physiotherapists, psychologists, pharmacists & occupational therapists)
• Integration with other community physical and mental health providers including voluntary sector groups
• Opportunities to contribute to future service development via patient steering groups and focus groups

For more information patients can visit Connect Health or speak to a member of their GP practice team.

Flippin' Pain

Flippin' Pain is a pubic health campaign with a clear goal: To change the way we think about, talk about and treat persistent pain. Flippin' your understanding of pain could change the lives of you and your loved ones forever.

 

An online Citizens’ Panel has been launched by the NHS in Lincolnshire to ensure the county’s residents are heard during upcoming crucial healthcare planning.

Adults of all ages and from all walks of life are encouraged to join to make sure the group is truly representative. 

The charity HWLincs has been selected by the NHS in Lincolnshire to recruit panel members.

Registration is open now, to register and find further information visit the HWLincs website.

 

The NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board is your guide to health services in Lincolnshire. 

It can be tricky making the right choice, but with so many different options to choose from, it is important that you pick the right one, especially when you’re unwell.  Whatever your medical need there’s an option for you. 

See the guide for health services in Lincolnshire.