Emergencies

Medical Emergencies

In the event of a medical emergency, you should contact the Emergency Services, by phoning 999. This is the quickest and best way of obtaining emergency assistance when you are concerned about serious or life-threatening illnesses or accidents, e.g. acute breathing problems, chest pains, and serious injuries from road traffic accidents or assaults.

You may, if you wish, phone the surgery to ask advice before calling an ambulance, although by doing so you may be delaying the arrival of assistance.

Outside surgery office hours you could also call WestCall.  

Westcall (Tel: 0118 978 7811)

When the surgery is closed (Surgery opening times) the doctors' emergency service is provided by WestCall, based at West Berkshire Community Hospital.

At night and weekends there are always doctors available to advise on and attend to medical emergencies.

The phone will be answered by a receptionist in the first instance. She will need to ask a few questions in order to log your call on the system. You may be given telephone advice by a doctor or nurse, asked to attend the WestCall surgery to be seen by a doctor, or, if you are too unwell to travel, you will be visited at home by a doctor.

There are usually two doctors on call at any time (only one between midnight and 8.00am). These doctors are covering about 106,000 patients, so please only contact WestCall in the event of major illness or emergencies. 

Dental Problems

For dental problems, please contact your dentist, who will arrange emergency treatment. If you require urgent advice when your dentist is closed please call 0845 6020 701 - this service operates between 18:30 - 22:00 hours on weekdays and 09:00 - 17:00 hours Saturday, Sunday and all public holidays.

You may also contact NHS Direct for advice.