With NHS services under sustained pressure, Dr Overy from School Lane Surgery explains how informed choices can help ensure GP appointments remain available for those who need them most.
As a GP working at School Lane since 1998, I have seen how much our community values good health and timely support. People want to do the right thing when they feel unwell, and they want reassurance that help is available. The NHS remains a service we can all be proud of, but it is facing significant and ongoing pressure. Using it wisely helps ensure it can continue to care for everyone who needs it.
One of the most effective ways we can protect local services is by making better use of self-care, community pharmacies, and NHS 111 before booking a GP appointment. These options are not second best. They are often the most appropriate place to start and can help you feel better more quickly.
Self-care does not mean ignoring symptoms or being left to manage alone. It means understanding which problems usually improve with time and simple treatment and knowing when to seek further advice. Many common conditions such as coughs, sore throats, mild stomach upsets, aches, pains, and minor skin problems settle within a few days. Rest, fluids, and simple pain relief are often all that is needed. Learning how to manage these safely builds confidence and helps avoid unnecessary appointments.
NHS 111 online is an extremely helpful starting point when symptoms appear. You can enter what you are experiencing, and the system will guide you clearly. It will advise when self-care is appropriate, when to speak to a pharmacist, or when a GP appointment is needed. For many people this provides reassurance and clear direction without delay, 24 hours a day. Alternatively, you can call 111 if you are concerned and would like to know what to do.
Your local community pharmacy is another excellent resource that is often overlooked. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can assess symptoms, recommend effective treatments, and check that medicines are safe for you. They can advise on interactions with other medications and tell you if your symptoms suggest something more serious. Many pharmacies also offer NHS services such as treatment for sore throats, urinary infections, and access to emergency contraception. Visiting a pharmacy can save time and reduce pressure on GP services.
Over the counter medicines can be amazingly effective and excellent value. Supermarket own brand medicines work just as well as branded versions because the active ingredient is the same. Differences are usually limited to flavouring, colouring, or tablet coatings. If you have sensitivities or are unsure what to choose, your pharmacist can guide you.
Sometimes when you contact the surgery, you may be directed to another service rather than offered a GP appointment. This is not about turning people away. It is about making sure you receive the right care, from the right professional, at the right time, as quickly as possible for you. It is about an efficient use of NHS resources to benefit those most in need.
There will always be situations where GP care is essential. If you are unsure, NHS 111 can help guide you. If you are worried, trust your instincts and seek advice. Everyone working in the NHS wants to help. That is why we chose to work in healthcare!
By choosing self-care, pharmacy advice, and NHS 111 when appropriate, you help keep GP appointments available for those who need them most. Looking after your health is a shared responsibility, and informed choices benefit everyone.
Dr M Overy
GP Partner
School Lane Surgery
