Your Guide to NHS Services in Greater Glasgow and Clyde

Many health concerns can be managed without needing to contact the GP practice. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and local community services provide a wide range of support, advice and self-referral options.

This guide will help you find the right service.

Your Local Pharmacy – First Place to Go

For many common illnesses, the pharmacy should be your first port of call. Through the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service, Pharmacists can assess and treat many common conditions without you seeing a GP. They can help with coughs, sore throats, colds, urine infections (UTIs) in women aged 16 to 65, impetigo, infected insect bites, skin infections, shingles, hay fever, allergies and thrush.

Find your local pharmacy

Eye and Dental Problems

If you have an issue with your teeth or gums, you should contact your dentist. For any issues with your eyes—such as redness, pain, or sudden changes in vision—you should contact a local optician (optometrist). They have the specialist equipment to examine you.

  • Dental Emergencies (Out of Hours): Call NHS 24 on 111.
  • Emergency Eye Care: Most opticians provide free NHS eye examinations for urgent issues.

Self-Referral Services

You can self-refer to these services without the need to see a GP.

Vaccinations and Travel Advice

All routine vaccinations, including Flu, COVID-19 and Shingles, are now delivered by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. You will be contacted directly when you or your child are due a vaccination.

Planning a trip?

GP practices no longer provide travel vaccinations and advice. For travel vaccinations and advice, please contact NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Travel Health Service at least 8 weeks before your departure.

  • For vaccination information visit the NHS GGC Vaccination Page
  • You can rearrange or opt-out of your vaccination appointment this is for people who want to rearrange an existing appointment
  • Digital Notifications: If you have previously signed up for digital communications via the NHS Scotland Online Booking Portal you may receive an SMS text message or an email instead of a letter
  • GP practices are unable to book, cancel or rearrange vaccination appointments.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are feeling low, anxious, or stressed, there are several ways to get support:

If you, or someone you know, needs urgent help or is in crisis, call NHS 24 on 111. If you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, call 999.

General Health Advice and Minor Injuries

If you have a minor injury like a cut, burn, or suspected broken bone, or if you need urgent medical advice when the practice is closed, please call NHS 24. They can give you advice or book you an appointment at a minor injuries unit if needed.

When to Call 999 or Attend A&E

Call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency immediately for:

  • Chest pain
  • Severe breathing difficulty
  • Signs of stroke (face dropping, arm weakness, speech difficulty)
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Severe bleeding that will not stop
  • Serious injuries

If you have a sick child and you are very worried about them, especially if they are struggling to breathe, are unresponsive, or have a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass, dial 999 immediately.

For urgent advice when the practice is closed, call NHS 24 on 111.

Hospital Appointments

If you have already been referred to a hospital by a GP and are waiting for an appointment or need to change one, please contact the hospital directly. The GP surgery cannot speed up hospital waiting lists or see your position on the list. NHS inform’s “Waiting Well” is a resource for patients in Scotland to support their health and wellbeing while on a waiting list for surgery, tests, or specialist care.

For queries relating to referrals to hospital:

You can find a Patient Support and Information Service at every hospital. To learn more about how waiting times are managed in Scotland, additional resources are available at Public Health Scotland.

Patient Hub

Take control of your hospital care with Patient Hub. This secure online portal lets you view your hospital information easily from your phone, tablet, or computer. Once it is fully operational, Patient Hub will let you:

  • Send information relevant to your care
  • Details about your hospital appointments
  • Results of certain tests
  • Send health questionnaires to complete ahead of appointments

Remember

If you have ongoing, complex or worsening symptoms, please contact the surgery. Our reception team may ask a few questions to ensure you are directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional.

We are here to support you and kindly ask that you treat our staff with courtesy and respect when contacting or visiting the practice.