Page updated: 30 Sep 2011
Out of hours care
If you need medical attention out of office hours, there are a number of different facilities available to help you.
NHS Direct
Call 0845 46 47 for medical advice if you or someone in your family is unwell. You can also go online to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. This is suitable for minor illnesses, like colds, and coughs, and small injuries, like cuts and scrapes. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Pharmacy
Some pharmacies are open 24 hours a day, or for longer hours than other pharmacies.
You can download a list of all pharmacies and their opening hours here.
GP services
GP out of hours services are provided by Mastercall, providing care from 6.30pm until 8.00am Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday when GP practices are closed. Mastercall is also in operation during bank holidays.
If you telephone your GP outside of its usual opening times, you will either hear a voicemail directing you to telephone Mastercall, or be automatically diverted to Mastercall.
Dental services
If you need dental treatment out of hours, call 0161 230 6029.
Any emergency treatment that you receive out of hours will cost £16.50 and must be paid for at the appointment.
Minor injuries unit
The minor injuries unit is based at Altrincham General Hospital and can help with broken bones and other non-life threatening illnesses. It is open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
The MIU can treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments, including broken limbs, simple wounds, abscesses, and foreign bodies in the nose or ear.
A&E
Only use your nearest Accident and Emergency department in an emergency. A&Es are located at Trafford General Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital (which includes a separate children’s A&E), and Central Manchester Hospitals.
Mental health services
If you need mental health care outside of normal office hours, you should use the GP out of hours service – telephone your GP practice and you should be diverted to Mastercall, who provide out of hours care in Trafford.
You can also try the Trafford Wellbeing website, which contains contact information of a number of mental health charities operating in and around Trafford.