Your Health

Your local pharmacist can help you with common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains. They can also help with stopping smoking, cutting down on alcohol, advice on safe sex and emergency contraception. Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You don't need an appointment – you can just walk in. Many pharmacies also have private consultation rooms.

• Find your nearest pharmacy at www.nhs.uk  
• Watch local pharmacist Len Dalton's advice on having a well-stocked medicine cabinet and getting advice from your local pharmacist on minor ailments and conditions.

Make an appointment with your GP if you are feeling unwell and it’s not an emergency.

• You can even book an appointment in the evenings and at weekends thanks to GP extended access.
• Out of hours you can still call your GP surgery and follow the instructions on the answerphone message. You can also call NHS 111 for help.

NHS 111 if you’re worried about an urgent medical concern or if you're not sure which NHS service you need 24/7:

• Call 111
• Visit 111.nhs.uk
• If you have difficulties communicating or hearing, call 18001 111 on a textphone or use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you’re deaf and want to use the phone service.

Visit a local walk-in, urgent care or urgent treatment centre, if you have an illness or injury, and it can't wait until your GP surgery is open. The following services are available in Birmingham and Solihull:

• Erdington Health and Wellbeing Walk-in Centre, 196 High Street, First Floor, Erdington, Birmingham, B23 6SJ. Telephone 0121 686 8010. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
• South Birmingham GP Walk-in Centre, 15 Katie Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, B29 6JG. Telephone 0121 415 2095. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
• Birmingham Walk-in Centre, Boots The Chemists, Lower Ground Floor, 66 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7TA. Telephone 0121 255 4500. Open 8am-6pm Monday-Friday; 9am-5pm Saturday; 11am-3pm Sunday; 10am-6pm bank holidays; closed Christmas Day.
• Washwood Heath Urgent Care Centre, Clodeshall Road, Washwood Heath, Birmingham, B8 3SN. Telephone 0121 322 4310. Open 9am-9pm, Monday-Sunday including bank holidays.
• Warren Farm Urgent Care Centre, Warren Farm Road, Birmingham, B44 0PU. Telephone 0121 465 5613. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
• Summerfield Urgent Care Centre*, 134 Heath Street, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 7AL. Telephone 0121 389 1100. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
• Solihull Urgent Treatment Centre, Solihull Hospital, Lode Lane, Solihull, B91 2JL. Telephone 0121 424 2000. Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.

*This service is commissioned by NHS Sandwell and West Birmingham CCG.

Mental health

For help with mental health concerns:

• If you live in Birmingham and are under 25 years old, call 0300 300 0099 or visit www.forwardthinkingbirmingham.org.uk
• If you live in Birmingham and are over 25, or if you live in Solihull (and are any age), call 0121 305 2525 or visit: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/

Sexual health

For free, confidential and non-judgemental sexual health services, including all types of contraception, STI testing and treatment:

• Call 0121 237 5700
• Visit www.umbrellahealth.co.uk

Drugs and alcohol

If you are worried about your drug and alcohol use, or someone else’s, get free and confidential help:

• Call 0121 227 5890
• Visit www.reachoutrecovery.org.uk

Dental emergencies

If you have toothache:

• Call NHS 111 for your local out-of-hours service in the area
• Alternatively, visit Birmingham Dental Hospital between 8am and 2pm, Monday to Friday. NHS dental charges may apply.

Remember that Accident and Emergency (A&E) or 999 are for life-threatening emergencies only, such as loss of consciousness, persistent chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding or severe allergic reactions.

If you are thinking of going to A&E but not sure if you need to, patients in Birmingham and Solihull can try the online Ask A&E symptom checker 24/7; or alternatively call NHS 111 if you’re not sure what NHS service you need.