Many health concerns can be managed without needing to contact the GP practice. NHS Fife and local community services provide a wide range of support, advice and self-referral options. This guide will help you find the right service quickly and confidently.
Your Local Pharmacy
For many common illnesses, the pharmacy should be your first port of call. Through the NHS Pharmacy First Scotland service.This means pharmacists can assess and treat many common conditions without you seeing a GP.
Pharmacists can help with:
- Coughing, sore throats, and colds
- Urine infections (UTIs) in women aged 16 to 65
- Impetigo and infected insect bites
- Skin infections and shingles
- Hay fever and allergies
- Thrush
Help for Specific Conditions
You can refer yourself directly to some services without needing a referral from a GP.
Podiatry (foot health)
A podiatrist is a healthcare professional who helps keep your feet healthy and pain-free. They specialise in preventing, diagnosing and treating problems affecting the feet and lower limbs. You can self-refer to the Podiatry Service.
Specialist weight management support
This programme helps you to make small, sustainable lifestyle changes to better manage your weight. You can self-refer to this service by completing a self-referral form.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
If you are feeling stressed, anxious, or low, there are several ways to get support.
If you are in crisis or need urgent emotional help, you can call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (open 24 hours in Scotland). For urgent mental health support, call NHS 24 on 111. If you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, call 999.
Sexual Health
For contraception, STI testing, or advice, you can book directly with Fife’s sexual health clinics.
Travel vaccination for going abroad
If you’re travelling abroad, you can arrange your required travel vaccinations through dedicated travel clinics available at selected community pharmacies across Fife. Ideally, you should receive any vaccinations 8 weeks before your trip to ensure they take full effect before you go abroad. GP Practices no longer offer Travel Vaccinations.
Stopping Smoking
The stop smoking service want to support Fifers to make that choice to reduce their risk of tobacco related diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, COPD etc and improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
Bone, Muscle, or Joint Pain
For aches and pains, you can find exercises and advice online. If you would like to access to this service, you can be referred by your General Practitioner (GP), Physiotherapy first contact practitioner, consultant or other healthcare professionals.
If you are struggling with back pain, joint pain, or muscle strains, NHS Inform provides excellent advice and exercises to help you manage your symptoms safely at home.
Explore muscle, bone and joint advice on NHS Inform
Pregnancy and Maternity
As soon as you have a positive pregnancy test, you can book your first appointment directly with the Fife Midwifery team.
General Health Advice and Minor Injuries
If you have a minor injury like a cut, burn, or suspected broken bone, or if you need urgent medical advice when the practice is closed, please call NHS 24. They can give you advice or book you an appointment at a minor injuries unit if needed.
Routine Vaccinations
Most routine vaccinations (including childhood immunisations) are delivered by the NHS Fife Immunisation Team, not by GP practices. Patients are contacted directly when vaccinations are due.
For queries, contact the NHS Fife Immunisation Service.
GP practices are unable to book, cancel or rearrange vaccination appointments.
Dental Emergencies
For toothache or gum problems, please contact your regular dentist. If you are not registered with a dentist or have an emergency out of hours, call the Fife Dental Advice Line.
- Fife Dental Advice Line: 01592 226555
- Out of Hours: Call NHS 24 on 111
Eye Problems
If you have a red eye, sticky eye, or sudden changes in your vision, you should see an optician (optometrist). They have specialised equipment to examine your eyes that GPs do not have. This service is free in Scotland.
When to Call 999 or Attend A&E
Call 999 or attend Accident & Emergency immediately for:
- Chest pain
- Severe breathing difficulty
- Signs of stroke
- Severe allergic reaction
- Severe bleeding that will not stop
- Serious injuries
If you have a sick child and you are very worried about them, especially if they are struggling to breathe, are unresponsive, or have a rash that does not fade when pressed with a glass, dial 999 immediately.
For urgent advice when the practice is closed, call NHS 24 on 111.
Remember
If you have ongoing, complex or worsening symptoms, please contact the surgery. Our reception team may ask a few questions to ensure you are directed to the most appropriate healthcare professional as quickly as possible.
We are here to help and kindly ask that you treat our staff with courtesy and respect when calling or visiting the practice.