In this section
The UK healthcare system is called the National Health Service (NHS).
You can access free healthcare information and advice 24 hours a day by dialling 111. You can even ask for an interpreter in your language by saying ‘interpreter please’. Or you can access the NHS 111 website.
How to access healthcare for an unwell child
In an emergency or life-threatening situation, call 999 and the operator will advise you what to do next. Alternatively, you can attend your nearest Accident & Emergency hospital department. A&E is open 24 hours a day every day of the year and you can attend without an appointment.
Pharmacies
Your local pharmacist can provide advice and medications on minor problems including coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy ache, and minor injuries. You can also buy many medications and first-aid supplies directly from a pharmacy or supermarket. The pharmacy staff will let you know if the medication that you need requires a prescription from a doctor.
General Practitioners (GP)
General Practitioners or GPs are primary care doctors who might be your first point of contact for physical and mental health concerns. They also coordinate long term healthcare and can provide referral to hospital specialists if needed. Everyone is encouraged to register with a GP and there is no charge to register with or to make an appointment with a GP. You can register with a GP even if you do not have a permanent address. Any local GP practice can provide you with emergency treatment for up to 14 days. After 14 days, you can then register as a temporary patient for up to 3 months.
You can do this online at www.nhs.uk/register
If you are having difficulty accessing NHS services (for example, a GP service has declined to register you) there are a number of organizations who can help:
Citizens Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvicemanchester.org.uk/get-help-button
Citizens Advice may also provide information on other help available including housing, employment, and immigration services.
If you are living in temporary asylum accommodation, your accommodation may be able to direct you to their own GP services.
Vaccinations
Routine childhood vaccinations (immunisations) are free. They are a safe way to prevent diseases from spreading.
More information about childhood vaccinations can be found here: https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/keeping-your-child-safe-and-healthy/childhood-vaccinations-essential-information OR https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/
Dentists and Opticians
Children are entitled to free NHS dental (teeth) and optician (eyes) care.
If your child has toothache you can call NHS 111 on 111 and ask for an Emergency Dentist.
For routine care, you can find a dentist via https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist or an optician via https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/opticians/
Health Visitor and School nurses
Health Visitors are specially trained children’s nurses who support you and your family from birth until school. Once your child is at school, the school nurse takes over. Health Visitors can help with everything from health and parenting information (for example: breastfeeding, introducing solid food and healthy diet, potty training, behaviour and emotions) to developmental reviews and access to local community services and resources.
You can contact your local Health Visitor directly by phone. All of the health visitor team phone numbers for Manchester are listed here under ‘Contact Information and Opening Times.’ https://www.manchesterlco.org/services/childrens-community-services-citywide/manchester-health-visiting-service/#1665410935694-79353bb6-a10e
To contact a school nurse, enquire at your child’s school.
Where to find information online
Healthier Together is a free online resource for families and children. It provides information in multiple languages for pregnant mothers, parents and carers, children and young people.
For babies under 3 months: https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/worried-your-baby-unwell-under-3-months-2/worried-about-your-baby
For babies and children over 3 months: https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/parentscarers/worried-your-child-unwell
Mental health and wellbeing
If you are worried about you or your child’s mental health, please see our leaflet on mental health and wellbeing or the section on ‘What to expect when you come to the emergency department with a mental health problem’.