GP out of hours service
The GP out of hours service is for people who need urgent medical treatment but cannot wait until their doctor's practice opens. The service is for terminally ill people, very sick children and frail elderly people. Dental out of hours service only treats people with dental pain, swelling or bleeding.
When you mustn't use the out of hours service
You don't use the GP out of hours service for:
- repeat prescriptions
- dental problems
- minor ailments that a pharmacist can treat
Using the out of hours service
GP out of hours is available if you need urgent medical care when your GP surgery is closed.
GP out of hours services are:
- 6.00 pm on week days until your GP surgery opens the next morning
- 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday
- 24 hours on public holidays
You should telephone the out of hours service first. The doctor or nurse will assess you and:
- give you advice by telephone
- decide if you need to see a doctor
- refer you to another service
If your condition is life-threatening, for example, a suspected heart attack or stroke, telephone 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Contact out of hours service in your area
Organisation | Area/town | Telephone | Textphone |
---|---|---|---|
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust | North and West Belfast | 028 9074 4447 | 18001 028 9074 4447 |
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust | South and East Belfast | 028 9079 6220 | 18001 028 9079 6220 |
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust | Ards and North Down | 028 9182 2344 | 18001 028 9182 2344 |
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust | Lisburn and Downpatrick | 028 9260 2204 | 18001 028 9260 2204 |
Dalriada Urgent Care |
Antrim |
028 2566 3500 | 18001 028 2566 3500 |
Southern Health and Social Care Trust |
Armagh and Dungannon Newry and Mourne |
028 3839 9201 | 18001 028 3839 9201 |
Western Urgent Care |
Enniskillen |
028 7186 5195 |
18001 028 71865195 |
Help for people in distress or despair
Lifeline is a crisis response free helpline available across Northern Ireland. It offers immediate help by telephone all day, every day if you or someone you know is in distress or despair.
If you or someone you know needs help now, you can contact Lifeline in confidence.
- telephone number: 0808 808 8000
- Mental health emergency - if you're in crisis or despair
Dental out of hours service
The dental out of hours service is for dental emergencies only including:
- trauma
- swelling
- uncontrollable bleeding
- severe pain
These dental clinics don't repair dentures or restore lost crowns or bridges. You may need to pay for dental treatment.
For clinic opening hours and information about when charges apply, go to:
GP out of hours service video
The video explains when to use the GP out of hours service in Northern Ireland.