Urgent Care

Need healthcare in a hurry? One number - 0345 605 99 99 - will get you straight through to our urgent care services. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We've been working with other Primary Care Trusts across West Yorkshire to introduce the new services, which are based on the feedback we received from public consultation in 2007.

These are the services that people need when they've got a minor injury or they suddenly feel ill. The sort of thing that isn't an emergency, but needs urgent attention. Patients told us that when this happens, they often don't know where to go for help. Sometimes this means that they go to A&E, or call an ambulance when this isn't the best way for them to be treated.

Many patients also use NHS Direct, or call for an out of hours doctor. But one of the things that came out of our consultation, was that people don't like having to repeat their story on the phone, and they don't like waiting for call backs.

So, we've introduced a new number - 0345 605 99 99. Patients ringing from anywhere in West Yorkshire can ring this number, and they will be passed smoothly to the service they need. This could be advice, or a GP visit. Or if it's an emergency, an ambulance will be sent straight to them.

If you have an emergency, always call 999. This number hasn't changed.

The new urgent care service is being provided by NHS Direct. It deals with the part of the patient's care that we call access and assessment. If the patient needs out of hours treatment this will continue to be provided by Local Care Direct, under a new contract.