Primary Care is your first point of contact with healthcare and your front door to care with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Primary Care services have evolved, and it’s crucial that you and your loved ones are well-informed and empowered to access the right professional at the right time. It’s also important to know when it’s appropriate to stay at home and care for yourself.
You have a range of support services available that complement and enhance GP care, including advanced nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physiotherapists, vaccination nurses, and community links workers who focus on social and wellbeing support. Additionally, you can access services like dentists and optometrists in your local area.
These professionals are part of your Primary Care team. To help you feel confident in seeking the right help, we’ve highlighted some of our NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Primary Care roles.
Click on each one below to learn more about their roles, how they can assist you, and how you can reach them.
Remember, it’s also important to utilise the resources available to you when you have a health concern. Before contacting any healthcare professional, consider using online resources, as your symptoms might be manageable at home. Helpful tools include symptom finder on NHS Inform and the NHS 24 app.
Click below to hear what’s available to you in Primary Care
Medicines waste costs NHSGGC £100,000 every day – we need your help to tackle it. We have launched a campaign to reduce medicines waste – for the good of people’s health, to support NHS services and to help the environment.
NHS finances are under significant pressure, and we can all do our bit to help, whether you are a patient, a concerned member of the public or a medical professional. By reducing medicines waste we can potentially save huge amounts of money. Money better spent ensuring our patients get the treatment they need.
What would £100,000 pay for?
More than 40 cataract operations
More than 6 hip replacements
More than 4 kidney transplants
It also equates to a day’s wages for more than 700 nurses, or more than 200 hospital consultants.
Small steps, big impact
There are things we can all do to help reduce waste:
Resist the urge to over-order medicines: Check what medicines you have at home before you re-order, and only order what you really need when you need it
Take control of your medication: Speak to your GP, pharmacy team or nurse about reviewing your medication to make sure they are still right for you
Know how to dispose of unused medicines: If you have medicines at home that are out of date or no longer required, return them to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
Take control of your medication – ask for a medicines review
Contact your GP practice and ask to be referred to the GP practice pharmacy team to discuss if your prescription is still right for you.
It is important that patients check in regularly to make sure the prescription they receive is right for them.
If you receive a repeat or serial prescription, contact your GP practice and ask to be referred to the GP practice pharmacy team for a medicines review, or ask your community pharmacist for advice.
Our pharmacy teams are here to help your with your medicines, and they will work with you to make sure the medications you receive are right for you.
As well as being beneficial for your care, medication reviews help reduce medicines waste.
If I don’t use my medicines, I can return them for someone else to use
Medicines cannot be reused or recycled once they have been dispensed to you.
It’s OK for me to order extra medicines so I don’t run out
Over-ordering can lead to medicines going to waste if your prescription or health needs change. Please try to order only what you need, when you need it.
I’ve been taking these for years. I must still need them
If anything has changed with your health, you may not need some of your medicines anymore. Please contact your GP practice or pharmacist to arrange a medication review.
Prescriptions are free in Scotland. They don’t cost anything
Though you are not charged for your prescription medication, it still has a cost to the NHS, and the environment. It costs £11 on average for each individual medicine dispensed across Greater Glasgow and Clyde, and around 10% of the medicines dispensed, go to waste.
The GP Out Of Hours (GPOOH) service in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde provides urgent care to patients when their regular GP service is closed. These services are designed to handle non-life-threatening medical issues that require attention outside regular working hours, such as evenings, weekends, and public holidays.
Current GPOOH Service
The GP Out Of Hours service has been developed as an appointment-based model, that can be accessed by phoning NHS24 on 111.
This means we can help people get the right care in the right place.
Patients can access the GPOOH service in the evenings, overnight, across the whole weekend, and public holidays by contacting NHS 24 on 111.
If you require urgent non-life threatening care after your GP has closed you should phone NHS24 on 111.
Trained call handlers at NHS24 will assess your needs and if clinically appropriate will refer you to the GP Out of Hours service.
This new system also means that, where appropriate, patients can speak to a clinician over the phone or via a virtual consultation from the comfort of their own home, meaning they don’t have to travel to an urgent out of hours care centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GP Out of Hours?
The GP Out Of Hours service provides urgent primary care to patients outwith normal GP surgery hours. This includes evenings, weekends, and public holidays. This is accessed by calling NHS 24 on 111.
How do I access GP Out of Hours?
Patients can access the GPOOH service in the evenings, overnight and across the whole weekend and public holidays by contacting NHS 24 on 111.
Trained call handlers at NHS24 will assess the needs and if clinically appropriate will refer the patient to the GPOOH service.
This new system means that, where appropriate, patients can speak to a clinician over the phone or via a virtual consultation from the comfort of their own home, meaning they don’t have to travel to an urgent out of hours care centre.
Why do I have to phone NHS 24?
With all patients being channelled through NHS 24 as a first point of contact, we can ensure that people are directed to the most appropriate type of care within the right environment, at the right time.
We have a fully integrated a telephone triage system into the patient care pathway, meaning where appropriate, patients can speak to a clinician over the phone or via a virtual consultation and may not even have to travel to an urgent out of hours care centre.
Where are the GP Out of Hours Centres?
There are currently GP Out of Hours Centres at:
Inverclyde Royal Hospital (Partial weekend cover and bank holiday.)
New Victoria Hospital
New Stobhill Hospital
Royal Alexandra Hospital
Vale of Leven (Lomond)
Will people have to travel further to attend GP Out of hours?
If you need a face-to-face appointment, you may be asked to attend a GP Out Of Hours centre outwith your local area. Those who need support travelling to a centre, patient transport can be arranged.
If you cannot travel, we also offer home visiting options.
What happens if you are not able to travel to attend an appointment?
If you cannot travel, we can also offer home visiting options and for those who need support to get to a centre and patient transport can be arranged.
Why can I not just turn up to be seen?
With all patients being channelled through NHS 24 as a first point of contact, we can ensure that people are directed to the most appropriate type of care within the right environment, at the right time.
We have a fully integrated a telephone triage system into the patient care pathway, meaning where appropriate, patients can speak to a clinician over the phone or via a virtual consultation and may not even have to travel to an urgent out of hours care centre. Over half of our consultations are now carried out remotely within your own home. This ensures you can be seen by the right clinical person for your care. Being seen in the home setting also reduces waiting times, travel time and infection control risks.
Is patient transport available to all patients?
Patient Transport is available to all patients. At time of arranging an appointment for a centre, the administrative staff will discuss travel arrangements to the centre for the patient. Any patients who indicate they don’t have transport means to travel to centre will be routinely offered patient transport. There is no charge for this service.
Can patient be accompanied on patient transport?
Carers can get the transport and child seats are also available and patient transport now includes accessibility for wheelchair users.
Is return transport to get patient home available?
Yes it is available both to and from the centre.
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If you feel unwell when your GP Surgery is closed, and you cannot wait until the practice reopens, call NHS 24 on 111 who will provide advice and direct you to the appropriate service, if required.
If you think you need to attend the Emergency Department but it’s not life threatening, or if you need to attend a Minor Injuries Unit, call NHS 24 on 111.
Otherwise, if you need general medical advice, visit the NHS Inform website.
Advice, information and prescriptions for any medicines you may need
Routine monitoring and management of ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and heart disease
Most contraceptive services, minor surgery, maternity services and immunisations
Screening such as smears and child health
Referral to another specialist healthcare professional for tests and treatment, if required.
What happens if you have to see your GP and your normal GP surgery is closed?
Because of the current risks posed by COVID-19, unless there is an immediate need for care, your GP Out of Hours service will NOT see you if you turn up unexpectedly.
If you feel unwell, and your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 24 on 111 so they will give you the advice you need. Depending on your symptoms, this may include:
Advice on managing your symptoms at home
Asking you to visit your local pharmacy
Seeing an on-call doctor or other health professional. If you need to see a doctor immediately NHS 24 will arrange this for you.
Consultations
You may receive a telephone consultation with a GP, or a virtual consultation via Attend Anywhere, but, if you need to see a doctor face-to-face, NHS 24 will make an appointment for you at your nearest urgent primary care centre.
Patient transport service
Patient transport service are available to take you to and from the centres if required, and GP home visiting is also in operation if you are unable to travel.
Why are GP practices still working differently?
Here are some of the more frequently asked questions.
How are practices working now?
Most practices are using a “Telephone First” service.
This allows the team to assess you over the phone and consider if you need to be seen in person or if a telephone or video consultation may be more appropriate. This helps to ensure that everyone gets the type of appointment they need, and that you don’t have to travel to the surgery if you don’t need to.
In many cases, your health care issues can be as effectively managed with a telephone consultation as they can with a face to face appointment.
If you need to attend the practice for examination you will be given an appointment.
Why do reception staff ask me personal questions?
GP reception staff are vital members of the practice team and treat all information as confidential.
They ask questions to ensure that you are directed to the best support, within and outwith the practice. They are trained to ensure you are seen by the most appropriate member of the practice team and ensure GPs can prioritise the patients with the greatest clinical need.
Why am I seeing someone who is not my GP?
Many GP practices have teams of specialists working alongside the GPs.
These teams have widened and may include Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Mental Health workers and Community Links workers. Your needs may be dealt with more effectively by one of these team members.
Where else can I get help?
NHS Inform (www.nhsinform.scot) has lots of information to help you to help yourself
Your local Community Pharmacist can help you with many common illnesses and can prescribe some medications
Community Optometrists will give you advise if you have an urgent eye complaint
Community Dentists will manage your dental problems.
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Always make sure you have enough medicines to last you through the days your pharmacy is closed. Your Pharmacist can help with many common ailments. There is no need to make an appointment.
Meet your Community Pharmacist
Drop in and speak to your pharmacist first for advice on:
Pharmacy First is available from all community pharmacies in NHSGGC and allows patients to access FREE advice and/or treatment for: Impetigo (for those over two years of age) and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (for adult women aged 16-65).
When to use Pharmacy First
If you are a woman aged 16-65 with any of the following symptoms:
Burning or stinging sensation on passing urine
Need to pass urine frequently
Need to pass urine urgently.
If you are concerned you or your child may have Impetigo and show any of the following symptoms:
Minor skin infection on one area of the body
Red sores that pop easily and leave a yellow crust
Fluid-filled blisters
Itchy rash.
Your pharmacist will ask you about your symptoms in order to give you the right advice. You should be aware there are some exclusions which can prevent your pharmacist from treating you and you may need to be referred to your GP.
You must be registered with a GP practice in Scotland and should normally expect to attend the pharmacy to allow the pharmacist to assess your symptoms before deciding on whether to offer advice, treatment on the NHS or to refer you to another clinician.
Get treated faster. Go to your Pharmacy First!
Medicines
All pharmacies dispense prescriptions and most supply emergency contraception on the NHS. If you run out of regular medicines a pharmacist may give an urgent repeat supply. This is only in exceptional circumstances if you can’t get a prescription from your GP. Pharmacists can also help with medicines that you have had prescribed before.
Go to a pharmacy for free treatment.
Evening, Sundays and public holiday service
To find out when a pharmacy is open call NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88
Lines are open:
Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 10.00pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Switching from Keppra® to generic Levetiracetam
The following leaflet is designed to inform patients about why they may receive a generic version of their epilepsy medication (levetiracetam) instead of the branded version (Keppra®), and to provide reassurance about the safety and effectiveness of the switch.
For a speedy recovery, self care is the best option when you have a minor illness or injury. A well stocked medicine cabinet means you’ll receive the right treatment immediately.
Check your medicine cabinet
Make sure you have some over-the-counter (OTC) remedies for common seasonal illnesses in your medicine cabinet.
Things to have in your medicine cabinet include:
Paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief (check the label or speak to your pharmacist to check it’s suitable for you)
Anti-histamines to help allergies
Anti-diarrhoeals and oral rehydration sachets for diarrhoea
Indigestion remedies such as an antacid
Mild laxative for constipation
A first aid kit
Medicines specifically for children (your pharmacist can advise on the most suitable ones to keep in the house).
Remember that medicines go out of date, so don’t overstock your medicine cabinet. Always follow the advice on the pack, and if your symptoms continue (or are severe) get further advice by:
NHS inform is your national health information service. Visit www.nhsinform.scot for general NHS information, Sunday pharmacy opening times, and advice on a wide range of health issues.
If you’re well, but have a question about your health or local NHS services phone 0800 22 44 88. You can call or web chat for instant advice.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 10.00pm
Saturday and Sunday, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Webchat, Language Line and BSL services are also available.
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We use the Right Care, Right Place model for all types of care. This ensures patients get access to the most appropriate care quickly and safely. It also helps protect our Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) so they can look after patients with life-threatening conditions.
When it comes to their health, men don’t like reaching out. If you think he’s ill or hurt, make sure you all know where to go. It would ease the pressure on A&E too.
Accessing the right care is as easy as A,B,C:
Ask yourself: Do I need to go out? For information on treating minor illnesses and injuries from home, go to NHS inform.
Be aware: There is help for many conditions on your doorstep. Your local GP, pharmacy or optician offer a range of services.
Call 111. If it’s urgent, or you’re unsure, call NHS 24 on 111. They’ll get you the care you need.
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The following information is designed for students to ensure you are able to get the right support from the health service during your time studying in Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
All students living within Greater Glasgow and Clyde should ensure they are registered with a local GP.
Registering with a GP is free, and will ensure that if you need primary care, you will not need to go back home, or rely on A&E services which should only be used for very urgent or life-threatening illness and injuries.
If you’re GP is closed and you think you need to see a doctor and it can’t wait until your practice has reopened, you can access the GP out of hours service by calling NHS24 on 111.
Do you know how to use our Virtual A&E service? (FNC+Plus)
All students can access NHSGGC’s virtual A&E service which provides emergency care consultations either through video or over the telephone. It means you can get urgent care without having to travel to a physical A&E.
Do you know where your nearest pharmacy is and how they can help you?
Your local pharmacy is your first port of call for a full range of minor ailments. You do not need an appointment and there are hundreds of pharmacies across Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
Your Pharmacist can help with many common ailments. There is no need to make an appointment.
Speak to your pharmacist first for advice on:
Allergies
Cold sores
Constipation
Coughs and colds
Diarrhoea
Mouth ulcers
Pain
Sore throats
Teething
Upset tummies.
Pharmacy First for UTI treatment and Impetigo
Pharmacy First is available from all community pharmacies in NHSGGC and allows patients to access FREE advice and/or treatment for: Impetigo (for those over two years of age) and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (for adult women aged 16-65).
When to use Pharmacy First
If you are a woman aged 16-65 with any of the following symptoms:
Burning or stinging sensation on passing urine
Need to pass urine frequently
Need to pass urine urgently.
If you are concerned you or your child may have Impetigo and show any of the following symptoms:
Minor skin infection on one area of the body
Red sores that pop easily and leave a yellow crust
Fluid-filled blisters
Itchy rash.
Your pharmacist will ask you about your symptoms in order to give you the right advice. You should be aware there are some exclusions which can prevent your pharmacist from treating you and you may need to be referred to your GP.
You must be registered with a GP practice in Scotland and should normally expect to attend the pharmacy to allow the pharmacist to assess your symptoms before deciding on whether to offer advice, treatment on the NHS or to refer you to another clinician.
Do you know where to go for mental health support services?
If you, or someone you know, needs support for mental health, there are a number of options. Your college or university may have its own dedicated service.
When you need help
When you need help you should first contact your GP. Your GP can refer you to your local Community Mental Health Service. If you need support when your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 24 on 111.
You can also call Samaritans for help 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them on 116 123 (freephone) or email: jo@samaritans.org
Breathing Space offers a confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed. You can call free on0800 83 85 87.
Do you know how to access sexual health services?
The Sandyford provides specialist sexual health services for Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Find more information on services, opening times and clinic locations, visit: the Sandyford Sexual Health Services website or watch the below video.
Which services are offered?
Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing for people with symptoms
Assessment for people who have recently been exposed to an STI
Testing for people who may be at higher risk of STI or HIV
PrEP services
Contraception
Abortion services
Young people’s clinics
Vasectomy
Archway
Free Condoms.
If you have a sexual health emergency
During opening hours Sandyford provides specialist emergency sexual health services for:
Rape and Sexual Assault that occurred in the last 7 days – Archway Service 0141 211 8175
You do not need an appointment to access PEP. It is available from Sandyford Central, Monday to Thursday 8.30 am – 7.00pm and Friday 8.40am – 4.00pm
Dental support
In order to receive the full range of dental treatment and care under the NHS, you must be registered with a dentist. Your dentist will then provide regular check ups, planned routine treatment and emergency care, if required.
Which services do NHS dentists provide?
Routine check ups and any care required
Advise on how to keep your mouth healthy
Dental hygiene including scale and polish
Treatments such as fillings, crowns, tooth removal and root canal treatment
Visit the website or practice website to find out joining options.
Submit necessary paperwork as outlined by the practice.
Optometrist Support
If you have a problem with your eyes, please visit your local optometrist. Every high street opticians have an optometrist who provides NHS services.
If your optician is closed and you can’t wait until it reopens, call NHS 24 on 111 right away.
If you have an eye problem, such as a scratch or something stuck in your eye, you should call NHS 24 on 111 and ask for the Minor Injuries Unit. For eye injuries that require immediate emergency treatment, you should go to your nearest A&E.
If you think you need to go to Accident & Emergency
If you require urgent care, but it’s not life-threatening, you should call your GP. If your GP is closed, you can call NHS24 on 111 to access NHSGGC’s virtual Accident and Emergency (A&E) Service which provides emergency telephone and video consultations.
If it’s a life threatening emergency, phone 999 and ask for an ambulance. You can also go directly to an A&E.
Also known as the Flow Navigation Centre, you can use this service to get quick, direct access to emergency care, either through a video or telephone consultation.
You can receive treatment from the comfort of home, without having to visit a busy A&E department.
When to use the Flow Navigation Centre
If you think you need to go to A&E, but it’s not life-threatening, and you can’tspeak to a GP, you can access the Flow Navigation Centre. To do so, call NHS 24 on 111.
The NHS24 triage team may feel you could benefit from a virtual A&E appointment and will refer you directly. Depending on your needs, they will provide more appropriate advice and treatment options.
If you get an appointment with the Flow Navigation Centre, a team of emergency care nurses and medics will provide you with a virtual, or telephone consultation.
Just like a physical A&E, after your consultation a number of things can happen:
You may receive self-care advice and told to phone back if your symptoms worsen
If you require physical treatment, you could be given a scheduled arrival time at one of our A&Es or Minor Injuries Units
You may be referred to a more appropriate specialist service.
The Flow Navigation Centre operates seven days a week and covers the whole of NHSGGC.
If your condition is life threatening, you should always call 999 or go straight to your nearest A&E.
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