Out of Hours Emergencies
Out-of-hours service is covered in Lothian by NHS 24 which is a 24 hour telephone nurse consultation and health information service. NHS 24 is integrated with NHS Lothian’s out-of-hours services, the Scottish Ambulance Service, plus local accident and emergency departments across Lothian and can pass patient information directly to these services.
If a medical problem arises between the hours of 6.00pm to 8.00am weekdays or at the weekend between 6.00pm on a Friday to 8.00am on a Monday morning and you feel it will not wait until normal hours, you should telephone Whinpark Medical Centre (have a pen ready as the answerphone will give you the out of hours number) or NHS 24 direct. The staff on duty will give advice, arrange to see you at one of the out-of-hours centres or arrange a home visit as appropriate.
NHS 24 is also available throughout the day for general medical advice.
Please call NHS24 – 111
- This service is for emergencies
- It should not be used instead of a day time appointment
- All calls are monitored and will be reviewed by our Doctors
- 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.
A receptionist in the emergency call centre will answer your call and either:
- Arrange advice from a doctor or nurse
- Invite you to attend the centre to be seen by a doctor
- Arrange a home visit if you are too ill to visit the centre.
In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.
Mental health crisis or emergency ?
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.
