General Health Advice
We recognise that sometimes you don’t need to see a GP but may want some general health advice.
For general health advice, we offer several options:
Request General Advice using eConsult
eConsult. Want advice from your doctor, self-help information or have an administrative request (such as a sick note or test results)? Get Started.
Please be patient if you have sent in a non-urgent or routine request. We will contact you as soon as possible. Please note eConsults are only available during Practice Opening Hours:>>
Self Help
Contraception and Sexual Health Services
Contraception and Sexual Health Services Sexual Health Dorset Sexual Health Dorset - Sexual Health Dorset provides a wide range of free and confidential contraception and sexual health service for people of all ages in Dorset. Call 0300 303 1948 to make an appointment or for further advice. Free Emergency Contraception Emergency contraception - Public Health Dorset - Dorset Council is also available from many Community Pharmacies in Dorset, including Boots in Swanage. Many Community Pharmacies also now offer the Oral Contraceptive Pill without a prescription, Including Well Pharmacy in Swanage Find a pharmacy that offers the contraceptive pill without a prescription - NHS .
Your local Pharmacy
Pharmacy First Pharmacy First enables your local pharmacy to treat the following conditions with prescription only medicines, without the need to visit your GP:
- Sinusitis (patients aged 12 years and over)
- Sore throat (patients aged 5+)
- Earache (patients aged 1-17 years)
- Infected insect bite (patients aged 1+)
- Impetigo (patients aged 18+)
- Shingles (patients aged 18 years+)
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (women aged 16-64 years).
You can either walk into the pharmacy or contact them virtually. For more information, watch this Pharmacy First Animation.
Go to a pharmacy for advice and treatment for minor conditions that do not need a prescription. For more about services you can get from a pharmacist, please find out more about how your pharmacy can help>>
Physiotherapy Advice
Physiotherapy Advice on how to manage aches and pains in your joints, muscles and bones can be found on the Musculoskeletal Matters Website Looking after yourself | Musculoskeletal Matters. You can also refer yourself to a physiotherapist by using the Self-Referral Form on their website | Musculoskeletal Matters. You can also ask to see a First Contact Physiotherapist at the Surgery for musculoskeletal conditions without needing to see a doctor first First-Contact Physiotherapy Services.
Maternity Advice
Maternity Services Maternity Matters Dorset Maternity Matters Dorset – Bumps and Beyond provides information about maternity options and services in Dorset. If you’ve recently found out you’re pregnant, you can refer yourself to the service by following the links in their website.
Mental Health Support
Mental Health Services Access Mental Health Access Mental Health Dorset offers a range of services to help people who are struggling to cope or feel they are nearing a breakdown. You don’t need to be referred by your GP - just reach out for help when you need it by phoning Connection on 0800 652 0190 or NHS 111 for free (available for people of all ages) or by visiting one of the Community Front Rooms for face-to-face help (available for anyone aged 18+).
Steps2Wellbeing Steps 2 Wellbeing offers therapy services to support adults aged 18+ with common mental wellbeing problems, like depression and anxiety. You can refer yourself to the service by following the self-referral link on their website or by phoning 0800 484 0500.
Dorset Youth's Mental Health Hub Young People's Mental Health Hub provides information about all the services available in Dorset to help children and young people aged under 18 experiencing problems with their mental health, including information about how to access help in an emergency.
The CAMHS Gateway CAMHS Gateway – CAMHS Dorset acts as the “Front Door” to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Dorset. Young people aged 16-18 years can refer themselves to the service by completing the CAMHS Self-Referral Form Dorset HealthCare :: CAMHS self-referral form
Social Prescribing Self Referral
The Dorset Self-Management Service offer wellbeing services. Referral may be made via your doctor or by other members of the primary health care team. Or if you think you would benefit from wellbeing services, you can self-refer. For more information on how to access Social Prescribing and Wellbeing Services :>>
Support for Parents
Support for Parents ParentLine Dorset HealthCare :: ParentLine confidential text messaging service is a confidential text messaging service for parents and carers of children aged 0-5 in Dorset. Text 07312 277162 for confidential advice and support from a member of the Health Visiting Team about your child’s health and development. The service runs 9:00am-5:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). ParentLine 5-19 Dorset HealthCare :: ParentLine confidential text messaging service is a confidential text messaging service for parents and carers of children and young people aged 5-19 in Dorset. Text 07312 263131 for confidential advice and support from a member of the School Nursing Team about your child's health and development. The Family Hub website also has lots of information to support Parents Family Hub - Dorset Council
Keeping Well
There is lots you can do to help keep yourself fit and healthy.
LiveWell Dorset provides free coaching, support and advice to help you move more, manage your weight, stop smoking or drink less alcohol. Call 0800 840 1628 or visit the LiveWell Dorset website.
Checking your blood pressure could also help save your life – for more information go to the Stay Well Dorset website.
It’s also important to make sure you are up to date with all the vaccinations you are eligible for – more information can also be found on the Stay Well Dorset website. [You might also wish to include a link to the page about vaccinations on the Practice website]
LiveWell Dorset
LiveWell Dorset is a public health service that supports the health and wellbeing of residents in Dorset. LiveWell Dorset provides free coaching, support and advice to help you move more, manage your weight, stop smoking or drink less alcohol. Call 0800 840 1628 or visit the LiveWell Dorset website: visit the LiveWell Dorset website here:>>
Stay Well Dorset
Stay Well Dorset is a one stop shop for everything health and care - and the first port of call for people living in and around Dorset who need any information about how to stay healthy (see press release: https://nhsdorset.nhs.uk/news/redesigned-website-becomes-one-stop-shop-for-everything-health-and-care-this-winter/
Self Care
There are many minor conditions you can treat yourself by using over-the-counter medicines from your local pharmacy or supermarket - without needing to see a doctor or nurse.
Prescriptions for medicines that are available over the counter to treat 35 minor conditions are no longer generally available in Dorset - including for coughs, colds, mild hayfever, and indigestion. For more information, go to HelpYourNHS on the NHS Dorset Website.
The Pharmacists at your local Community Pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns - and, if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they will ensure you get the care you need.
For more advice on how to manage specific conditions, visit the NHS website.
The UK Sepsis Trust
The UK Sepsis Trust is here to support you – whether you’re a survivor, patient, relative or employer. Please visit the Sepsis Trust website:>>
Other Online Health Information sources
Other online health services such as the NHS Health A-Z (www.nhs.uk/conditions) can offer a reference point to check out conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
The NHS App enables people to get advice on the go, using their mobile device. Find out more about the NHS App on the NHS website:>>
Visit 111.nhs.uk for urgent medical advice for people aged 5 and over only.
If your child is unwell go to the Healthier Together Website Home :: Healthier Together where you will find advice on what serious 'red-flag' signs to look out for, where to seek help if required, what you should do to keep your child comfortable and how long symptoms are likely to last
Sepsis Information - Sepsis is life threatening and can be hard to spot. There are lots of possible symptoms. they can be like symptoms of other conditions, including flu or chest infection. For more information visit: Symptoms of sepsis - NHS
Call NHS 111 if you think you need medical help right now. 111 online can tell you what to do next Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111. Call 111 instead if you:
- Need help for a child under five
- Have complex problems caused by an existing medical condition
- Have a care plan from your doctor for your current health problems
- Need to get end of life care