Out of Hours Emergencies
When the practice is closed, the out-of-hours service in Ayrshire and Arran is proved by NHS 24. This service takes emergency calls for the practice from 5:30pm until 8:00am the following morning, throughout weekends and on some bank holidays. Please note that all calls made to this service are recorded. Those telephoning the surgery will find the number for NHS 24 recorded on the practice answering machine. You will also find an option asking if you wish to be directly connected to NHS 24. The direct number for NHS 24 is 111. Please do not telephone NHS 24 out of hours for prescriptions and results, as they are only available during normal surgery hours.
Trained staff located at the call control centre will handle your enquiry.
On dialling 111 a team of fully trained advisers and experienced nurses will assess your condition and direct you to the local service that can help you best, when you need it. That could be your GP surgery, an out of hours GP, A&E, a local urgent care centre, emergency dentist or a late opening pharmacist. The 111 service is in operation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
NHS 24 can provide the same service to deaf, hard-of hearing and speech-impaired people as long as they have a text-phone.
Remember the Out of Hours Service is for urgent problems only. Please do not contact the service for a second opinion or for anything which can wait until the next working day.
If you have a minor ailment you could visit your local pharmacy who will be able to provide you with some help or signpost you onto the next available service.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Mental Health Crisis?
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you, or someone you know, experiences a life-threatening medical or mental health emergency. These are cases where there is immediate danger to life or physical injury. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you feel like you may be close to acting on suicidal thoughts or have seriously harmed yourself, you should call 999 or go to A&E directly if you need immediate help and are worried about your safety.