Get the right care

Get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional for NHS services in Sussex

NHS health services in Sussex are currently experiencing high levels of demand.

Teams across the NHS – at GP practices, NHS 111, hospitals, mental health services, ambulance and community services – are all working incredibly hard to make sure you can receive high quality services.

The NHS is always here to help you – but please use services wisely to make sure you get the most appropriate support and help us to help you.

We want to make sure you get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional.

There are many different services to choose from. This page will help you understand which service is best for your needs.

The NHS website

The NHS website provides health advice and guidance for numerous conditions and supports you to find the service you need.

Self-care

Treat minor illnesses and injuries at home with rest, simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen and basic first aid.

A well-stocked medicine cabinet can help you and your family to get the best treatment as soon as possible for a range of common illnesses, such as colds and flu.

If you are unsure, or you have questions about what you can have at home to treat you and your family, visit your local pharmacist for free, effective advice and support.

Common ailments can typically last for between one and three weeks – for example, a sore throat can last one week; a cold one-and-a-half weeks; and a cough three weeks.

Unsure how long your symptoms will last and when to get further medical advice? Visit a day-by-day symptom checker to know what symptoms to expect and what you can do to treat yourself.

In the majority of cases, you can also treat COVID-19 at home.

Pharmacy

Your pharmacist can do so much more than complete your prescription. They can give you expert clinical advice for minor health concerns and help with many common illnesses like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains. And the best part is you don’t need to make an appointment.

Listen to our NHS Sussex podcast about using your community pharmacist, the types of services they can provide and how they can help you and your family is so many different ways.

Pharmacists are trained experts in managing minor illnesses and using medicines safely. They can advise you on the safe use of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

Most local pharmacies have private consultation rooms where your pharmacist can talk to you confidentially. They are not required to note anything in your medical records, which some people may prefer.

Repeat prescriptions should be available as usual. It is important to only request your medicines when they are running low (e.g., one week’s supply left) as you usually would. If you are self-isolating or unwell, friends and family are able to collect prescriptions on your behalf.

Find a pharmacy:

List of pharmacies that carry palliative care medicines:

NHS 111

For urgent medical help, contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or make a free call by dialling 111. A team of highly trained experts is available to provide help 24 hours per day.

NHS 111 call handlers can advise you where local NHS services are, help with prescriptions, offer self-care advice and even arrange appointments including giving you an arrival time at an Urgent Treatment Centre or A&E.

Your GP surgery

The doctors and nurses at your local GP surgery are there to support you with a range of new and ongoing health concerns. You will usually have to make an appointment. They are working under enormous pressure at the moment so you may find that you get the right help sooner by using the options described above.

Please use NHS 111 if your GP practice is closed and you cannot wait until they re-open.

Walk in centres, Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres

For injuries or illnesses that are urgent but not life threatening you can use an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), walk-in centre or Minor Injuries Unit (MIU). It is best to try NHS 111 first to book an appointment at the nearest service to you.

The NHS website provides an overview of the conditions these services can treat.

You can find your local service on this interactive map (click to find more information), or on the list below:

An illustration of a map showing the urgent care locations in Sussex.

Brighton and Hove

East Sussex

  • Crowborough MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day (please note last booking is at 7:45pm). Closed on Christmas Day.
  • Lewes UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day. (please note last booking is at 7:45pm).
  • Uckfield MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day (please note last booking is at 7:45pm).

West Sussex

  • Crawley UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
  • Bognor War Memorial Hospital, MIU – please use 111 for help and advice, and, if appropriate, to book an arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
  • Horsham Hospital MIU – please use 111 for help and advice, and, if appropriate, to book an arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
  • Queen Victoria Hospital MIU, East Grinstead – Walk-in service. Open 8am to 8pm every day, including bank holidays.

UTCs within our hospitals

A&E/999

A&E and Emergency Departments are for life-saving emergencies only.

If you have a serious or life-threatening emergency – such as severe bleeding, breathing difficulties or chest pain – please dial 999 or go to your local A&E department.

Mental health support

The Sussex Mental Healthline offers crisis care for people in urgent need of help with their mental health. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 0800 0309 500

Text Relay calls and New Generation Text calls from hearing and speech impaired callers are also available on 0300 5000 101.

Community support

For more information on social care and health and wellbeing support available from local councils, please visit the following pages: