
In an Emergency
There are lots of choices and places for treatment in Plymouth. The most important thing is that you get the care you need, as quickly as possible.
NHS 111
NHS 111 is available 24-hours-a-day, 365 days a year. Calls from landlines and mobile phones are free. When you call 111 you will be assessed by trained call handlers who are supported by clinicians. They provide healthcare advice and direct people to the relevant local service that can help them – that could be an out-of-hours doctor, walk-in centre, community nurse, emergency dentist or late opening chemist. Read more about NHS 111 here.
Derriford Hospital, Emergency Department
An Emergency Department is located at Derriford Hospital and is open 24hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone seeking healthcare for an urgent medical problem related to an accident or illness. It is a walk-in service so you do not need an appointment.
The Emergency Department can be very busy and should be used only by those patients seeking emergency medical attention. It should not be used instead of your GP, as many more minor or older problems are better treated by your own doctor.
If you need help to get someone to hospital in an emergency, telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance. Follow any instructions the ambulance service call handler may give you.
Contact number: 01752 439091 (please note that this is not a triage telephone number)
Emergency Eye Care
Anyone needing emergency eye care or treating someone who does (doctors or opticians) should call the Telephone Triage Number 01752 439330.
Advice will then be given and, if necessary, the patient will be told where and where to attend.
Minor Injury Unit
In Plymouth the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) is open to anybody, no matter where they live. It is open everyday of the year, including all Bank Holidays, with x-ray facility when required. We also have clinics at Tavistock Hospital and South Hams Hospital (Kingsbridge).
The Minor Injury Unit is located at the Cumberland Centre in Devonport across from Plymouth Albion Rugby Club. For those who want to find it using sat nav the postcode is PL1 4JZ. It is easily accessible from the Torpoint Ferry making it an easy location those in South East Cornwall.
The Minor Injury Unit can treat a wide variety of problems including:
- cuts and grazes,
- sprains and strains
- broken bones (fractures)
- bites and stings (including human bites)
- infected wounds
- minor head injuries
If you would like to call them for more information you can on 01752 434390 or visit the Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) page.
Dentist
Emergency dental treatment for unregistered patients is available at Plymouth’s Dental Access Centre. Call Devon Dental 01392 823682 for an appointment.
GP
Your GP may be able to provide advice and treatment either by making an appointment with your usual doctor or by contacting an emergency doctor. Devon Doctors operates evenings, overnight and throughout the weekend via 111 (calls from landlines and mobile phones are free).
HANDi Paediatric App
Not sure what to do when your child is unwell? A mobile app that will give you up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat the is now available.
NHS Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS NEW Devon CCG), Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust, the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust have worked in partnership to launch the app in Devon.
It’s called the HANDi Paediatric app and was originally developed by Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. It’s now available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.