🏥 Get to Know Where to Go: Your Guide to Primary Care Services

Primary care is the frontline of the NHS – the day-to-day healthcare available close to home. It includes your GP practice, pharmacies, dentists, and opticians. Whether it’s a sore throat, a persistent cough, managing long-term conditions or just needing some advice, knowing where to go first can save you time and help the NHS help everyone more effectively.

👨‍⚕️ Your GP Practice

We're here for more than just appointments. From managing long-term conditions to advice on physical and mental wellbeing, we can help directly or refer you to the right specialist. Appointments might be by phone, video or in person – and we offer evening and weekend availability.

📱 Top Tip: Use the NHS App or our online form to submit routine requests – it helps us triage and prioritise care better.

💊 Your Local Pharmacy

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can now treat a growing list of common conditions without needing to see your GP. They offer advice, over-the-counter treatments, and some pharmacies can issue prescriptions for:

Earache (ages 1–17)
Sore throats (ages 5+)
UTIs (women 16–64)
Impetigo, shingles, infected bites and more

No appointment needed. Many are open evenings and weekends.

🩺 Ask about blood pressure checks, the New Medicine Service, and Minor Ailment Scheme – you might be eligible for free treatments!

👁 Your Optician

Opticians are the first port of call for any eye concerns – not A&E. They can help with:

Red or painful eyes
Something stuck in the eye
Sudden vision changes or floaters

📅 Adults should get an eye test every two years – more often if you have conditions like diabetes or glaucoma.

If you need urgent eyecare, ask about the Greater Manchester Urgent Eyecare Service.

🦷 Your Dentist

For anything dental – toothache, mouth pain, or routine care – contact your dentist, not your GP.

If you don't have a regular dentist or need help urgently, call the Greater Manchester Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800 (8am–10pm daily).

💷 Support with dental costs may be available if you’re under 18, pregnant, on low income or certain benefits.

💡 Did You Know?

You're not registered to a dentist the way you are to a GP – you can go to any NHS dentist.
Everyone in Greater Manchester can register with a GP regardless of immigration or housing status.
You can order repeat prescriptions, check test results, and view appointments via the NHS App.

❤️ Help Us Help You

Using the right service at the right time helps everyone. Whether it’s speaking to a pharmacist, self-care at home, or booking in with our team, knowing where to go keeps services running smoothly and gets you the care you need faster.

For more information, ask at reception or visit: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app

Published on 13 June 2025