Choose Well
Feeling peaky?
There's a range of services on your doorstep. Choosing the right one will ensure you receive the best possible treatment, allowing busy services like A&E to help those in most need.
To learn more about the Choose well campaign, visit our "Why Choose well?" page.
NHS Direct
NHS Direct provides confidential health advice and information by phone, through digital TV and online, 24 hours a day.
Contact NHS Direct if you are ill or injured and unsure what to do next, have any questions about a condition or treatment, or require information about local health services.
Call 0845 4647 or visit the NHS Direct website.
Self-care
A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.
Pharmacist
Your local pharmacist can provide advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them.
Visit your local pharmacy when you are suffering from a common health problem that does not require being seen by a nurse or doctor.
To locate the three nearest pharmacies to your location, people should simply text ‘Pharmacy’ to 64746 and they will receive three free texts listing the three nearest pharmacies and their address.
(This service uses the location of a person’s mobile phone to return relevant results.Please note that by using this service, you give consent for your mobile operator to release their location to the service provider for the provision of the service.)
NHS walk-in-treatment services
Including Primary Care Assessment Services and Minor Injury Units
Primary Care Assessment Services (PCAS)
Primary Care Assessment Services (PCAS) are designed to treat and diagnoses minor injuries and ailments. Various tests such as chest x-rays, and blood tests following referrals from GPs can also be performed as an out-patient facility.
Patients who need to visit PCAS with an emergency or minor injury can also book an appointment in advance.
PCAS sits within A&E units in Carlisle, Whitehaven and Barrow. However in Kendal it can be accessed by the general public at:
Westmorland General Hospital, Kendal
Tel: 01539 732288
Minor Injury Units
Minor Injury Units are designed to treat and assess a variety of minor injuries and ailments including:
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Cuts and grazes
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Sprains and strains
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Obvious broken bones (referrals may need to be made for x-rays)
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Bites and stings
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Infected wounds
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Minor head injuries, and Eye problems, such as minor eye infections, scratches or something that is stuck in your eye
Minor Injury Units are located at:
Alston Community Hospital
Open 24 hours (ring for appointment)
Tel: 01434 381218
Keswick Community Hospital
Open 24 hours
Tel: 01768 245 678
Maryport Community Hospital
Open Monday to Sunday 8:30am to 9:00pm
Tel: 01900 812634
Penrith Community Hospital
Open 24 hours
Tel: 01768 245 555
Workington Community Hospital
Open Mon to Fri 9:30am – 8pm and Sat 9:30-11:30am
Tel: 01900 70504
GP (family doctor)
GP surgeries provide a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations, and prescriptions.
To make an appointment with your GP either visit or call the practice to make an appointment. You can find a GP Surgery number using Your Nearest Services search tool.
Workington Access Centre
Workington Access Centre provides extended hours access to both GPs and practice nurses
Appointments can be booked with a nurse out of hours from 4:30pm until 8pm and with a GP from 6:30pm until 8pm.
Patients will be able to book out of hours appointments by either contacting their current surgery or by contacting the new Workington Access Centre direct on 01900 705048.
GP out- of -hours
For urgent advice or treatment when your GP surgery is closed contact Cumbria Health on Call: 03000 247 247.
Dentist
To register for an NHS Dentist you need to join NHS Cumbria's Dental Database so you can be allocated an NHS dental place when one is available where you live.
You can register on the dental database online
For emergency dental treatment and advice contact:
For emergency dental treatment and advice contact:
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North Cumbria on 01228 603900
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South Cumbria on 01539 716822
A&E or 999
A&E or 999 should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.
Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments provide immediate emergency care for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured.
Dialling 999 and stating a medical emergency will result in a response vehicle being sent to your location.