Self Help
Resources
We’ve listed some great self help resources available for you to use. You’ll find a variety of tips and guides to help you look after yourself.
We're here to support you. We have a skilled team of clinicians ready to deliver excellent care as and when you need them. However, there are many situations in which you’ll be able to help yourself better and faster than we can help you!
Using these tools allows us to focus on the patients who may more urgently need care. However, if you have any doubts or questions, please don’t hesitate to call us.
If you're not sure what condition you have, or how severe it is, you can use the NHS symptom checker. The checker will:
- Ask you some questions about your symptoms
- Advise you on when and where to get help (e.g. GP, callback from a nurse, A&E)
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to treat minor conditions (e.g. mouth ulcers, conjunctivitis) are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket. For most conditions where OTC medicines are available, we won’t be able to prescribe the medications and an appointment with a clinician may not be beneficial. Pharmacies are a great place to seek advice and can often resolve your query faster than the practice.
The NHS Medicines A-Z can be used to find information on medication, such as how and when to take it and potential side effects.
Rather than phoning the practice and waiting for an appointment, you can get most of your medicines related queries answered here without any waiting at all.
If you are planning to travel outside the UK, you might need to be vaccinated against some diseases. To find out what vaccines you might need, visit the NHS travel vaccinations website.
We do not provide private travel vaccines as a practice, but there are a number of dedicated travel vaccination clinics available across London including at local pharmacies.
There are many national services and services in your local community that you can access without needing a GP referral, such as:
There are many services in your local community that you can access without needing a GP referral, and may be better able to help you than your GP, such as:
We recognise that there is a severe housing shortage in Southwark and surrounding boroughs. To many of our patients this is a cause of frustration, stress, and poor health.
If your current accommodation is affecting your health or you want to change your housing situation for health reasons you do not need a doctor's letter. We ask that you do not ask the GP to provide a letter supporting your housing application. Southwark Council (and neighbouring councils) have specifically instructed us not to provide such letters. You need to complete a self-assessment form which is available online here or directly from the council.
If you need housing support, the Southwark housing options team can guide you through the process.
- By Telephone: 020 7525 5950
- Online: Housing or Finding a new home
If the council are unable to process your application and need further medical information, they will directly contact your GP practice to provide the required medical information. They will only do this if you give your written consent for them to contact the practice.
Many mental health services are available to access without needing to contact your GP first. You can find national and local, NHS and charitable mental health services, including 24-hour urgent mental health helplines, by clicking Learn more below.
If you think that you or someone you know might hurt themselves or someone else, call 999 or go to A&E right away.
There's a number of ways you can book an appointment, such as: phoning us, using our online portals, or visiting the practice in person.
While your GP practice is your main front door to the NHS, there are a number of other services available that may be able to help you.
Online services allow you to directly access some services using your computer, tablet or smartphone.
There are some great self help resources available for you to use. You’ll find a variety of tips and guides to help you look after yourself.
