When We Are Closed
Out-of-hours (OOH) refers to those times of the day and night when the surgery is not open - from 18:00 until 08:00 Monday to Thursday, and 18:00 Friday to 08:00 Monday.
If you need to contact a doctor OOH for matters which cannot wait until the next normal surgery, all you need to do is phone the Herefordshire Primary Care Out-of-Hours Service on 0330 123 9309. The call will then be automatically passed to someone to take details, and one of several things may then happen:
- If it is very urgent, an ambulance may be called
- For many problems, advice on the 'phone will be all that is needed, and this will be available If you need to actually see a doctor, a time will be arranged for you to attend a Primary Care Centre (PCC) either locally or in Hereford. Sometimes a home visit may be required for those too ill to go to a PCC - in this case a visit will be arranged.
- The minor injury unit at Ross Community Hospital is available for accidents and injuries. If the nurses there are unable to deal with the problem you could be asked to attend the OOH centre at Hereford, be transferred to the County Hospital in Hereford, or seen by a doctor locally if that is appropriate.
NHS Direct
In the case of urgent need when the practice is closed you can call
NHS Direct (0845 4647) to speak to a triage nurse. Your needs will be assessed and advice offered or arrangements made for you to see a doctor.
Please do not ask to see a doctor out of hours unless you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.
Call 999 in an emergency. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.