Make sure you register with a local doctor, known as General Practitioner (GP), as soon as you can in order to access free health services.
GP practices can help with a wide range of health concerns and illnesses, and can also prescribe medication. Many offer evening and weekend appointments.
The University Health Service is a GP practice located on Highfield Campus in Building 48. You can find more details here.
We also have Highfield Health, another GP practice which is located at 31 University Road on Highfield Campus (SO17 1TL).
The nearest NHS practice to our Winchester School of Art (WSA) Campus is St Clements Surgery.
Alternatively, you can find your nearest GP practice/GP surgery using your postcode via the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/Service-Search
Which service you should use depends on how serious your illness or injury is. Please see below for a list of resources and services, with a short explanation about the sorts of things you should use each service for:
(Less serious illness or injuries)
- Your local pharmacy can provide you with confidential, expert advice and over-the-counter treatment (treatment which you don’t need a prescription to buy) for a range of common illness and injuries. Seek help from a pharmacy for things like headaches, colds, small rashes, sore throats and minor cuts and bruises.
- For non-emergency medical advice, you can call trained NHS nurses and doctors by dialling 111. This is a free service for landlines and mobiles, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also call 111 if you’re not sure which NHS service you should be using.
(Moderately serious illness or injuries)
- Once registered, you can make an appointment at your local GP practice to be seen by a trained GP. You should seek help from your GP for things like a persistent cough, pain which doesn’t go away with the use of over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol etc. Your GP will be able to refer you to additional services as needed, and can prescribe you specific medication.
- The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) can treat minor injuries, without you needing to make an appointment. The team of skilled nurses have on site facilities such as an x-ray, and can help to treat minor injuries such as cuts, a sprained ankle or suspected bone fractures. You can find more information on the service and the treatments it offers, here. The service is located at the Royal South Hants Hospital. Opening hours for the MIU are 07:30 – 21:30 weekdays, and 08:00 – 21:30 on weekends and bank holidays.
(Serious illness or injuries)
- For medical emergencies where your own or someone else’s life is at risk, you should call 999 and ask for the ‘Ambulance service’.
- You can also attend the Accident and Emergency (A+E) department at Southampton General Hospital, or the A+E department at the Royal Hampshire Hospital in Winchester.
Always try to use the correct service for your health concern or injury. The available services are all professional and caring, but using the appropriate service will ensure that you’re seen and receive the right help quickly.
