Winter brings more coughs, colds, flu and tummy bugs and those with long-term health conditions and the over 65s are particularly vulnerable to illness when the lower temperatures kick in.
What to do when you’re not feeling well
Care for yourself at home if you have a common health issue, like a cough, cold, sore throat or headache. Make sure you get plenty of rest and take your usual painkillers or medicines, if you need them (always read the label).
Visit a walk-in centre, minor injuries unit or urgent care centre if you have an illness or injury, and it can’t wait until your GP surgery is open. Find your nearest one at www.nhs.uk
Ask your local pharmacist for advice about lots of common health issues such as diarrhoea, migraines and skin problems.
Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it’s not an emergency. All GPs will offer an emergency out-of-hours service. Did you know that even if you are out of town, you can join any GP practice as a temporary patient? The NHS Choices website has a handy search facility to see which practices cover your local area.
Urgent cases such as loss of consciousness, severe chest pain, severe bleeding, trouble breathing or a suspected broken bone should be reserved for A&E.
Local walk-in and urgent care centres include:
The Hill Urgent Care Centre
50 Percy Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 3ND
Open 8am-8pm every day. Tel: 0345 111 1310
Birmingham NHS Walk-in Centre
Lower ground floor, Boots, 66 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7TA
Open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturday 9am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Tel: 0121 255 4500
South Birmingham GP Walk-in Centre
15 Katie Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6JG
Open 8am-8pm every day. Tel: 0121 415 2095
Erdington Health and Wellbeing Centre
196 High Street, Erdington, B23 6SJ
Open 8am-8pm every day. Tel: 0121 686 8010
Summerfield GP and Urgent Care Centre
134 Heath Street, Winston Green, Birmingham, B18 7AL
Open 8am-8pm. Tel: 0345 245 0769
Solihull Urgent Primary Care
Solihull Hospital (next to the Minor Injuries Unit), Lode Lane, Solihull, B91 2AE
Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre
Clodeshall Road, Saltley, Birmingham, B8 3SW
Open 9am-9pm every day. Tel: 0121 322 4310
Walsall Walk-in Health Centre
19-21 Digbeth market square, Walsall, WS1 1QZ
Open 7am-6pm Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm Saturday and bank holidays, closed Sundays. Tel: 01922 605 730
Burntwood Health and Wellbeing Centre
High street, Chasetown, Burntwood, WS7 3XH
Open 8am-8pm. Tel: 01543 687 440
Sir Robert Peel Minor Injuries Unit
Plantation Lane, Mile Oak, Tamworth, B78 3NG
Tel: 01827 263 800
Samuel Johnson Minor Injuries Unit
Trent Valley Road, Lichfield, WS13 6EF
Tel: 01543 412 900
Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre
Warren Farm Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, B44 0PU
Open 8.30am-7.30pm every day except Christmas day
Tel: 0121 465 5613
