When We Are Closed

Out of hours (overnight (18:00 – 08:00) and at weekends) medical cover is co-ordinated by NHS24 but provided by a GP or ANP covering the Lochcarron and Torridon Practices. Out of hours practitioners will be resident in the area while on call and will see patients at either of the surgeries, or at home, as appropriate.

To contact NHS24 call them direct on 111.

Please do not ever try to contact the local GPs directly at home unless they have asked you to do so in a specific situation.

Why use NHS24?

• This is the most efficient way to get medical advice and help, they can give you advice over the phone, arrange for the GP to see you and let the GP know how urgent it is, or can dispatch an ambulance if this is more appropriate.
• If you call a GP at home you may cause an awkward situation if they are not on call.  It is not appropriate for them to help you in this situation, for example they may be caring for their young children, or may have had a drink, but they might find it difficult to refuse.
• The GP on call may already be dealing with another situation.  NHS24 would know this and can organise an alternative arrangement for you if your problem is urgent.
• The provision of the Out Of Hours service is currently under review and it is important that the true amount of work being done is recorded with the Health Board to allow them to assess the needs of each community. If GPs are seeing patients without going through NHS24 this work will not be recorded centrally and the level of service required may be underestimated.

It is extremely important, if you are unwell between 6pm and 8am or at the weekend, that you CALL 111 and get help & advice or be seen.  Please do not wait until Monday morning.

In a genuine emergency you should call 999. Chest pains and / or shortness of breath constitute an emergency.