Click here to self-refer for Maternity services for the Ulster Hospital or Lagan Valley Hospital.

The Pharmacy First enables patients to access treatment from their local pharmacy free of charge.

Conditions currently covered include:

• Oral/ vaginal thrush
• Headlice
• Threadworms
• Athlete's foot
• Groin itch
• Diarrhoea
• Cold sores
• Mouth ulcers
• Ear wax
• Haemorrhoids
• Scabies
• Acne
• Verrucae

Major Emergency Departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses.

The ULSTER HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT is the closest to Donaghadee. This link provides details of the ED site and parking.

Generally, you should visit ED or call 999 for emergencies, such as:

• loss of consciousness
• severe pain not easing with simple pain relief
• acute confused state
• persistent, severe chest pain
• breathing difficulties

Major Emergency Departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an ED department.

 A  Consultant led Urgent Care Centre has opened in the Downe Hospital's Emergency Department. This is operating 8am-6pm, Monday- Friday on an appointment only basis.

To access this service you must call 028 4483 8091

A Consultant led Minor Injury Unit operates 7 days a week from 8am to 6pm on the site of the former Emergency Department, at the ULSTER HOSPITAL. This is a walk-in service i.e. no appointment is required.

The Minor Injury Unit is staffed by specialist nurses, medical staff and other health care professionals who can assess and treat patients of all ages with minor injuries that are not critical or life-threatening. These include:

• injuries to upper and lower limbs
• broken bones, sprains, bruises and wounds
• bites – human, animal and insect
• burns and scalds
• wound infections
• minor head injuries
• broken noses
• foreign bodies in eyes, ears, nose and skin
• arm or leg pain
• simple rashes
• red eyes or minor eye injuries

The Northern Ireland Primary Eyecare Assessment and Referral Scheme (PEARS) is a self-referral service provided by most Optometry Practices across N. Ireland.
 

Examples of appropriate conditions include red eye(s), discomfort in or around the eye area, sudden reduction in vision, flashes and/ or floaters, suspected foreign body in the eye.

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A list of participating Optometrists is found here.

District nurses carry out nursing duties in the community to provide care and services to the housebound. Telephone on 028 95 988098.

You do not need to visit a GP to access musculoskeletal physiotherapy services.

First Contact Physiotherapist (FCP) Assessment

If you have a soft tissue, muscle, or joint problem, we now have in house First Contact Physiotherapist appointments available.

Please contact the Health Centre to arrange an appointment.

Self- referral for Physiotherapy – Ards or Bangor Hospital

Self-referral for physiotherapy is available for adults over 16. The link to self-refer to Physiotherapy at Ards or Bangor Hospital is found here.

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There is also a link for advice and information on self- management click here.

Once you receive a physiotherapy appointment, your physiotherapist will guide you in creating your own goals and exercise programme.

Podiatrists assess, diagnose and treat people with problems that affect their feet, ankles and lower limbs.

Please note the completed form has to be posted to Ards Community Hospital or Bangor Community Hospital as advised; Podiatry-referral-form (1).pdf

The Community Occupational Therapy Service supports individuals, assisting them to live as safely and independently as possible within their own home environment or within a Residential or Nursing home.

Self refer through the South Eastern Trust website

Social work is an important part of the care provided by various different services. You can book an appointment at the Health Centre with a social worker based within the General Practice Multi-Disciplinary Team.

Planning a Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Maternity Care

Click here for an NHS guide which includes all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth.

• Take a FOLIC ACID supplement

Take a folic acid supplement to reduce the risk of your baby having a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. A neural tube defect occurs when the spinal cord (part of the body’s nervous system) does not form normally.

It is recommended that all women who could get pregnant should take a daily supplement of folic acid. You should take a 400 micrograms supplement of folic acid every day before you get pregnant, and every day afterwards, up until you are 12 weeks pregnant.

Some women are advised to take a higher dose supplement of 5 milligram (5mg) every day.

You may need to take a 5mg supplement of folic acid if:

• you or the baby’s biological father have a neural tube defect
• you previously had a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
• you or the baby’s biological father have a family history of neural tube defects
• you have diabetes
• you take anti-epilepsy medicine
• you take anti-retrovirals for HIV
• you have a BMI >30. Calculate your BMI.
• you have coeliac disease
• you have thalassaemia

You can get low dose folic acid tablets at pharmacies or talk to a GP about getting a prescription if you think you need a higher 5mg dose.

If you discover you are pregnant, but are not taking a folic acid supplement, we recommend that you start taking them straight away and continue until your pregnancy is confirmed to be 12 weeks or you are advised to stop by your antenatal team.

• Consider a Vitamin D supplement – RDA 10mcg a day

In summer, most people get enough vitamin D from sunlight.

Between October and March, a 10mcg supplement of vitamin D per day for pregnant and breastfeeding women is encouraged.

People who cover their skin for cultural reasons, those confined indoors or with dark skin should take a daily supplement of vitamin D throughout the year.

• Regular Medications

If you are on any regular medications, especially thyroid tablets or anti-depressants please contact the surgery to review prescriptions and doses with your GP.

• Vaccinations

You should make an appointment with the nurse at the surgery for your whooping cough vaccination after 16 weeks and for your flu vaccination at any time during your pregnancy.

SH:24 is a free, discreet, and confidential service which provides STI testing kits, contraception, and some treatments such as those for genital warts and herpes. Go to SH:24

Unplanned Pregnancy

If you have an unplanned pregnancy and are seeking advice please contact Informing Choices on (028) 9031 6100, between 09:00-17:00 Monday to Friday.

Sexual and Reproductive Health (Family Planning) Clinics

Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics are a free and confidential service offering a range of contraceptive methods and advice about family planning and sexual health. Click here for information and contact details for the local services provided.

Please do not attend these clinics as a walk-in; contact the numbers provided. 

Sexual Health Clinics (GUM Genitourinary Clinics)

Sexual health clinics provide testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) . Click here to access the local Sexual Health Service.

Sexual Health NI

Sexual Health NI website is aimed at young people and adults and offers a range of information and advice on how to look after your sexual health. Click here to access this website.

Most of these services can be contacted directly by the public.

Click here: Looking after Yourself and Others

https://setrust.hscni.net/wpfd_file/mental-health-z-card-poster/

Click here for local Drug and Alcohol Support Services

Studies show that you're four times more likely to quit with help, and there's a free local stop smoking service near you. Below are some options available;

Contact the surgery to arrange an appointment at our inhouse smoking cessation clinic

Local Help and Support

Stop Smoking - Community Pharmacy NI

Contact the Health Centre to make an appointment with a smoking cessation adviser

Community Pharmacists also provide vaccinations for adults against Flu and Covid-19.

Click here for useful information.