Emergencies


		How do I get help in an emergency? If you think you are faced by a medical emergency there are two ways to obtain help immediately: Telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance, or Telephone 61202 and tell the receptionist that you have an emergency. While the surgery is open, the receptionist will arrange for you to talk to a doctor immediately or a doctor will ring you back in a few minutes. Please be ready to give the receptionist your telephone number, the name of the person who is needs help and a few details about what has happened. This will help the doctor to assess the best action to take. Sometimes it will be best to call an ambulance immediately: examples include a suspected heart attack or stroke or a serious injury. At other times the doctor will visit urgently or if the patient is well enough to travelarrange for an urgent appointment at the surgery, where the best facilities exist for dealing with emegencies. Emergency contraception If you have unprotected sex, if you take an emergency contraceptive pill within 120 hours you have a good chance of preventing pregnancy. We will always offer an appointment with a doctor or a practice nurse as soon as possible. Requests for emergency contraception are treated sympathetically and confidentially. Emergency contraception can be used if you have had sex without using contraception. you have had sex, but there was a mistake with contraception. for example, a split condom or if you forgot to take your usual contraceptive pills. For more information about emergency contraception click here. What happens when the surgery is closed? Between the hours of 6.30pm and 8am Monday to Friday and all weekend the emergency medical service is provided by CHOC (Cumbria Health on Call Ltd) from centres in Kendal, Lancaster and Morecambe. This is called the Out of Hours Service. Your telephone call to 61202 will be diverted to the Out of Hours Service's call centre who will immediately contact the doctor on call. The doctor will call you back and assess what is the best action to take. That may include a home visit, a visit to the nearest Primary Care Centre or to call an ambulance immediately . What if I suffer from an illness that may cause emergencies? If you suffer from an illness that may cause a sudden emergency such as coronary heart disease, severe allergy, asthma or epilepsy, your doctor or practice nurse will discuss with you how to reduce the risk of an emergency developing and make a plan with you for the best way to deal with one should it occur. You can also find advice on how to deal with emergencies on the NHS Direct website.











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Grasmere Drive High Bentham Lancaster LA2 7JP Open Monday to Friday 8.20am-6.20pm Tel: 015242 61202 Fax 015242 62905 For all telephone enquires Repeat Prescriptions Tel: 015242 42497 (24 hours/day) or via My Practice Online When the surgery is closed: Tel: 015242 61202 Out of Hours services are provided by Cumbria Health on Call 20 July, 2010