We’re working to make it simpler for patients to get the help they need, particularly for routine care.
Many of the enquiries we receive are about relatively mild health conditions. Often these will resolve with good self-care and treatment available at local pharmacies and supermarkets, or other forms of self-help.
As part of the NHS agreement with the GP Committee for England, when you contact us for medical advice, our practice triage team will decide what is best for you based on your clinical need. This could be:
- An appointment that day or a subsequent day
- A phone call that day or a subsequent day
- A written message (text/email) responding to your query
- Advice to go to a pharmacy or another NHS service
Sometimes, the advice we give you, such as go to a pharmacy, or another NHS service is available to you without needing to contact us and wait for our triage team to review and respond to your request.
Here we provide information and useful resources on simple, self-care measures and details of appropriate NHS health care services we may refer you to, or you may be able to self-refer to, without contacting us.
Please look at this advice before contacting the practice as you may not require an appointment to get the help you need. Please also use the NHS website and local pharmacies for relevant minor illness and ailments.
Quick reminder, additional help can be found here: Health Navigator A-Z – Meon Health Practice
Managing pain at home
Managing pain at home
We are regularly asked by patients “What can I use for my pain?”. Doctors use the ‘painkiller ladder’ which includes many over the counter medications you might be able to try:
A simple guide to over the counter pain relief for adults
- Paracetamol – 500mg (up to 8 a day), 2 tablets four times a day
- Add in Ibuprofen – 400mg (one three times a day) in between paracetamol doses
- Switch Paracetamol for Co-codamol – 8/500 (up to 8 a day) – continue ibuprofen
- Increase Ibuprofen – up to 600mg (one three times a day alternating with co-codamol)
- If taking above regularly and still not improving, contact us or another health care professional
Non-urgent advice: Pain relief medication
This is generalist advice for adults only. If you have been advised NOT to take any of these medicines then please do not do so. Consult your pharmacist for advice.
Speak to your community pharmacist for more information about simple painkillers.
If you are using painkillers and your pain is not improving or you are experiencing long-term pain, you are advised to contact us or another health care professional.
Patients who would like more information about simple painkillers can discuss with their community pharmacist who will be able to share a wealth of information.
Quick reminder, additional help can be found here: Health Navigator A-Z – Meon Health Practice
Over the counter medication
Following NHS guidelines, we will not usually give you or your child a prescription for over the counter medicines that are already available to buy in a community pharmacy or supermarket – such as paracetamol, Calpol and hay fever antihistamines.
We recommend shopping around for good value painkillers, antihistamines, and cold/flu remedies. Unbranded generic versions of paracetamol, ibuprofen and allergy medication such as cetirizine and loratadine are just as effective as more well-known brands.
Discount stores and supermarkets usually stock these very cheaply.
Quick reminder, additional help can be found here: Health Navigator A-Z – Meon Health Practice
Advice if your baby or child is unwell
Most children will get better with simple medications, rest and time. If you are worried, we recommend using Healthier Together.
Healthier Together is for parents, young people and pregnant women. Advice is written by doctors, explains what to do to help your child and when you should contact a health care professional.
Download the Healthier Together app: App Store or Google Play.
Non-urgent advice: Tip
Think Pharmacy First
Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – think pharmacy first and get seen by your local community pharmacy team.
Your local pharmacist can can help with a range of minor illnesses. Clinical Pharmacists can supply medicines for many conditions, if appropriate, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription in a consultation at a time that suits you.
Pharmacists have the right clinical training to make sure you get the help you need. Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns – you don’t need an appointment and you can be seen in a private consultation room.
These conditions include but are not limited to:
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years)
Benefits of using the NHS Pharmacy First Service
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, please visit:
How Pharmacies can help you get better
Self-refer: Boots (Fareham, Whiteley)
No appointment is necessary to access the NHS Pharmacy First Service
For certain conditions, a pharmacist can help with a range of minor illnesses.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England, they can also offer advice and provide the same selected prescription treatment as a GP, where appropriate, for seven common conditions as follows:
Urinary Tract Infections for women aged 16-64 years
Shingles for patients 18 years and over
Impetigo for patients 1 year and over
Insect Bites for patients 1 year and over
Sore Throat for patients 5 years and over
Sinusitis for patients 12 years and over
Acute Otitis Media (Earache) for patients 1-17 years
Please note that further eligibility criteria apply and access to treatment is subject to a suitability assessment with a pharmacist.
If you are seeking advice on a condition not listed above, please contact your local Boots pharmacy or pop in and speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Benefits of consulting your pharmacy
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, or to request a free consultation for one of these seven conditions, please visit:
Self-refer: Fareham Pharmacy, 95 Highlands Road
No appointment is necessary to access the NHS Pharmacy First Service
For certain conditions, a pharmacist can help with a range of minor illnesses.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England, they can also offer advice and provide the same selected prescription treatment as a GP, where appropriate, for seven common conditions as follows:
Urinary Tract Infections for women aged 16-64 years
Shingles for patients 18 years and over
Impetigo for patients 1 year and over
Infected Insect Bites for patients 1 year and over
Sore Throat for patients 5 years and over
Sinusitis for patients 12 years and over
Acute Otitis Media (Earache) for patients 1-17 years
Please note that further eligibility criteria apply and access to treatment is subject to a suitability assessment with a pharmacist.
If you are seeking advice on a condition not listed above, please contact your local pharmacy or pop in and speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Benefits of consulting your pharmacy
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, or to request a free consultation for one of these seven conditions, please visit:
Self-refer: Fareham Community Pharmacy, 135 Highlands Road
No appointment is necessary to access the NHS Pharmacy First Service
For certain conditions, a pharmacist can help with a range of minor illnesses.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England, they can also offer advice and provide the same selected prescription treatment as a GP, where appropriate, for seven common conditions as follows:
Urinary Tract Infections for women aged 16-64 years
Shingles for patients 18 years and over
Impetigo for patients 1 year and over
Infected Insect Bites for patients 1 year and over
Sore Throat for patients 5 years and over
Sinusitis for patients 12 years and over
Acute Otitis Media (Earache) for patients 1-17 years
Please note that further eligibility criteria apply and access to treatment is subject to a suitability assessment with a pharmacist.
If you are seeking advice on a condition not listed above, please contact your local pharmacy or pop in and speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Benefits of consulting your pharmacy
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, or to request a free consultation for one of these seven conditions, please visit:
Pharmacy First | Get Help Sooner from a Trusted Pharmacy | Fareham Community Pharmacy
Self-refer: Everetts (Locks Health, Park Gate, Titchfield, Warsash, Whiteley, Hedge End)
No appointment is necessary to access the NHS Pharmacy First Service
For certain conditions, a pharmacist can help with a range of minor illnesses.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England, they can also offer advice and provide the same selected prescription treatment as a GP, where appropriate, for seven common conditions as follows:
Urinary Tract Infections for women aged 16-64 years
Shingles for patients 18 years and over
Impetigo for patients 1 year and over
Insect Bites for patients 1 year and over
Sore Throat for patients 5 years and over
Sinusitis for patients 12 years and over
Acute Otitis Media (Earache) for patients 1-17 years
Please note that further eligibility criteria apply and access to treatment is subject to a suitability assessment with a pharmacist.
If you are seeking advice on a condition not listed above, please contact your local pharmacy or pop in and speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Benefits of consulting your pharmacy
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, or to request a free consultation for one of these seven conditions, please visit:
Self-refer: Superdrug (Fareham)
No appointment is necessary to access the NHS Pharmacy First Service
For certain conditions, a pharmacist can help with a range of minor illnesses.
Under the NHS Pharmacy First Service in England, they can also offer advice and provide the same selected prescription treatment as a GP, where appropriate, for seven common conditions as follows:
Urinary Tract Infections for women aged 16-64 years
Shingles for patients 18 years and over
Impetigo for patients 1 year and over
Insect Bites for patients 1 year and over
Sore Throat for patients 5 years and over
Sinusitis for patients 12 years and over
Acute Otitis Media (Earache) for patients 1-17 years
Please note that further eligibility criteria apply and access to treatment is subject to a suitability assessment with a pharmacist.
If you are seeking advice on a condition not listed above, please contact your local pharmacy or pop in and speak to a member of the pharmacy team.
Benefits of consulting your pharmacy
- You don’t need to wait for a doctor’s appointment
- Get support during all of the pharmacy’s opening hours
- Help support your pharmacy and ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Complete a short online questionnaire
- Book an appointment with a qualified pharmacist
- Receive medical advice or get treatment prescribed
For more information, or to request a free consultation for one of these seven conditions, please visit:
Self-refer to other services
It is possible to self-refer yourself for a variety of NHS services without needing a GP appointment.
You can self-refer to the following health and support services:
- Alcohol and drugs problems – www.inclusionhants.org
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) – hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk
- Incontinence (bladder & bowel) problems – Continence :: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Hearing tests and aids (audiology) – Scrivens Hearing Care for patients aged over 55 years of age.
- NHS Talking Therapies (for anyone struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety) – nhs.uk/talk
- Physiotherapy musculoskeletal (MSK) service – Physiotherapy :: Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Sexual Health: contraceptive and sexual advice – www.letstalkaboutit.nhs.uk
- Sexual Health: Vasectomy – www.midhampshirehealthcare.co.uk/vasectomy
- Stop Smoking – Smokefree Hampshire | Your Stop Smoking Service
- Gambling disorder – Southern Health Gambling Service
- Maternity services for pregnant women – SHIP (Southampton Hampshire IOW and Portsmouth maternity care
- Weight management for patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30 (or over 27.5 if from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities) – www.hampshire.gloji.org.uk
Quick reminder, additional help can be found here: Health Navigator A-Z – Meon Health Practice
Gosport Urgent Treatment Centre
No appointment is necessary to access Gosport Urgent Treatment Centre but you may save time by phoning 111 in advance.
We are often contacted by patients who require urgent treatment that a GP cannot provide, or an Urgent Treatment Centre is better equipped to provide care for.
The Urgent Treatment Centre at Gosport War Memorial Hospital has experienced Practitioners who can treat a range of minor injury and illnesses requiring urgent attention that is NOT critical or life threatening as follows:
Recent minor injuries
o Broken Bones
o Sprains
o Wounds
o Cuts
o Bruises
o Burns
o Eyes
o Minor Head Injuries
Recent minor illnesses where the patient is not unwell/symptoms worsening
o Abdominal Pain
o Fevers in Adults
o Fevers in Children over one year
o Skin Infections
o Rashes
o Eyes
o Ear, nose and/or throat complaints
o Coughs
o Colds
o Allergic Reactions
Exclusion Criteria
o Conditions likely to require hospital admission, blood tests, ultrasounds, or CT scans, or 999/A&E
o Repeat prescription requests and/or medication reviews and/or long term (chronic) disease management
o Mental Health Conditions
o Overdoses
o Alcohol Related Problems
o Dental Problems (contact your dentist or ring 111)
o Ear Syringing (no longer available under the NHS)
o Sexual Health (contact sexual health clinics)
Benefits of the Urgent Treatment Centre
- Receive treatment for conditions our GPs/healthcare professionals may not be qualified to care for
- Get support for minor injuries and illnesses requiring urgent attention
- Help ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Attend when you need help for minor injuries and illnesses requiring urgent attention
- If you attend without a pre-arranged appointment via 111, you will be seen in priority of clinical need
- Receive a clinical assessment and medical advice from experienced Practitioners
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm, seven days a week
X-ray facilities: 8.30am to 9pm, seven days a week
Telephone: 02382 318022
Address: Gosport War Memorial Hospital, Bury Road, Gosport, PO12 3PW
For more information, please visit: Gosport Urgent Treatment Centre
For serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, dial 999 or visit your nearest A&E.
Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre, St Mary’s Portsmouth
No appointment is necessary to access Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre, but you may save time by phoning 111 in advance.
We are often contacted by patients who require urgent treatment that a GP cannot provide, or an Urgent Treatment Centre is better equipped to provide care for.
Please do not confuse the Practice Plus Group Surgical Centre with the Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre. The surgical centre is based in a different part of the hospital and cannot help with UTC enquiries.
The Urgent Treatment Centre at St Mary’s Portsmouth has a team of skilled UTC practitioners and GPs who can offer treatment, advice and information for a range of minor injuries and illnesses as follows:
Inclusion Criteria
o Recent injuries and illness only
o Stitch and close wounds
o Dress minor wounds, cuts and grazes
o Broken bones to arms, lower leg and feet
o Sprains and strains
o Wound infections
o Minor burns
o Minor head I injuries for over one-year olds
o Minor eye injuries
o Non COVID-19 related illnesses (sore throat, earache etc)
Exclusion Criteria
o Anything COVID-19 related
o Repeat prescription requests
o Mental Health conditions
o Chest Pain and/or Breathing Difficulties
o Major Injuries
o Severe Stomach Pains
o Overdoses
o Alcohol Related Problems
o Conditions likely to require hospital admission
o Blood Tests
o Dental Problems
o Ear Syringing
o Sexual Health
o Long Term Conditions
o Medication Reviews
o Contraception Removal
Benefits of the Urgent Treatment Centre
- Receive treatment for conditions our GPs/healthcare professionals may not be qualified to care for
- Get support for minor injuries and illnesses requiring urgent attention
- Help ease pressure on GP waiting times
How does it work?
- Attend when you need help for minor injuries and illnesses requiring urgent attention
- If you attend without a pre-arranged appointment via 111, you will be seen in priority of clinical need
- Receive a clinical assessment and medical advice from experienced Practitioners
Opening hours: 8am-8pm every day
Address: Practice Plus Group Urgent Treatment Centre, Milton Road, Portsmouth, PO3 6DW
Please attend the UTC alone as only those that require treatment will be allowed to enter the UTC (unless you are accompanying a child, you’re a carer for an adult, or supporting a person that lacks mental capacity).
For more information, please visit: Urgent Treatment Centre, Portsmouth | Practice Plus Group
For serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, dial 999 or visit your nearest A&E.
NHS website and 111
The NHS Health A to Z lists common illnesses, conditions and symptoms and treatments.
Find out how best to treat minor illnesses and injuries including coughs, colds, headaches, hay fever, burns & scalds, cuts, grazes, animal bites, sprains, cold sores and minor head injuries.
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.
Quick reminder, additional help can be found here: Health Navigator A-Z – Meon Health Practice
Emergency Services
Accident and Emergency (A&E) is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies only.
For more information, please visit: