Out of Hours

Self Help

There are a number of services available if you are unwell and it is important that you choose the right service for you.

NHS Direct

NHS Direct is a 24-hour advice and health information service, staffed by nurses and professional advisers. It provides confidential information and advice on illnesses and information on local services. You can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647 and calls are charged at local rates. For patients’ safety, all calls are recorded. You can also visit their website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Pharmacists

Pharmacists can offer advice on medicines and how to take them. They can also offer advice on common complaints such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, and other health issues, such as healthy eating and giving up smoking. Please click here to find a pharmacy outside of normal opening hours.

GP Surgery

All GPs have an emergency service. This service is for urgent medical problems that cannot wait until normal surgery opening hours. If you or a member of your family have an urgent medical problem, please call EBPC patients’ line on 0118 936 5390

Slough Walk-In Centre

The Slough Walk-in Centre is managed by Berkshire East Primary Care Trust and offers fast and convenient access to local NHS advice, information and treatment. These services are provided by experienced nurses. Treatment is provided for minor injuries and illnesses such as sprains, coughs, colds and flu. It is based at Upton Hospital, Albert Street, Slough, Berkshire, tel 01753 635505 Please note that the centre does not treat children under the age of 2 years old.

Opening hours are:

7.00am – 8.00pm Monday-Friday
9.00am – 5.00pm Saturday & Sunday

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To plan your route, click here

Minor Injuries – Heatherwood Hospital

A Minor Injuries Clinic operates out of Heatherwood Hospital, London Road, Ascot from 8.00am to 10.00pm daily. It is staffed by highly trained Emergency Nurse Practitioners.

Treatment is provided for minor injuries and a limited x-ray service is available. If in doubt about whether to use the Minor Injuries Unit, please call 01344 877 802 for advice.

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Urgent Care Centre, Maidenhead

St Marks Hospital, Maidenhead now has an Urgent Care Centre (UCC) which runs alongside the outpatients’ department. The centre is run by East Berkshire Primary Care Out of Hours Service and provides a real alternative to Accident & Emergency for minor injuries and ailments. A limited x-ray service is also available.

Opening hours are:

8.30am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday
9.00am – 1.00pm Weekends
9.00am – 1.00pm Bank Holidays

Please note that the UCC can only provide treatment within 48 hours of injury or onset of symptoms.

To contact the UCC, please call 03000 24 2000 Please note the cost of the call is the same as to a standard landline, even from a mobile phone.

For map, click here
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For directions, click here

A&E

If you are seriously ill you should either go to your local hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) or dial 999 for an emergency ambulance.

Local hospitals with Accident and Emergency Departments are:

Wexham Park Hospital, Slough – 01753 633 000
Frimley Park Hospital, Camberley – 01276 604 604
The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading – 0118 987 5111

You may also click here for your nearest A&E where you will need to select A&E, Minor injury units, Walk in centres. You will be asked to fill in your postcode and will then be directed to the Emergency Department nearest to your address.