Out of Hours Services

My GP practice is closed

If your GP practice is closed and you cannot wait until it is open, phone your GP practice’s main telephone number. You will either be directly transferred to the out of hours service or there will be recorded instructions on how to contact help out of hours.

I need an urgent appointment

Your GP practice should be able to offer you an appointment with a doctor within 48 hours. If this is not soon enough you can visit Vicarage Lane Health Centre. At Vicarage Lane Health Centre GP-led service you can walk-in and see an experienced health professional who will give you healthcare advice and who can treat your minor illnesses and minor injuries. You do not need to book an appointment to use this service.

The GP Walk-in service is located at:

Vicarage Lane Health Centre
10 Vicarage Lane, Stratford, E15 4ES
Tel: 020 8536 2080
Fax: 020 8536 2081
Open: 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm, every day of the year

Accident and Emergency (A&E)

The phone number for A&E services is 999. Call 999 if you or the person you are calling for is so sick that their life is at risk, can not move or it would be dangerous for you to move them.

If you have a sprain, a broken bone, are in significant pain, have diarrhoea or are vomiting, or even if you have a high temperature and your GP practice is not open or can’t offer you an appointment immediately you can go to the Urgent Care Centre. The Centre is attached to Newham Hospital open Monday – Friday 8am-11pm and weekends and Bank Holidays from 9am-11pm.

Newham Hospital

Newham University Hospital NHS Trust, Glen Road, Plaistow, E13 8BL

Tel: 020 7476 4000

Fax: 020 7363 8181

Open: 24 hours every day of the year.

Extended opening hours

Sometimes it’s not possible to see a doctor when it’s convenient to you. Normal hours can clash with your work or family commitments.

Nearly all (96 per cent) GP practices in Newham offer extended opening hours. Extra hours are offered early in the morning, during the evening or at the weekend for registered patients. To find out the extended hours your GP practice offers, phone your practice directly.

Choose and book

If your GP has referred you to hospital for a specialist opinion, you can choose to be seen at any hospital in the country with an appointment at the time you choose.

If your GP does not offer you a choice of where to go please ask them about patient choice. Your GP will use an electronic system called Choose and Book to refer you. You will either be asked to contact the hospital directly giving your confidential PIN number or you may be able to arrange an appointment while you are at your GP practice.

For more information including waiting times, the quality of services and what patients think of the hospital go to the NHS Choices website.