Phone wait times for doctors surgeries appear to be getting longer, with several people in Oxford expressing frustration at the length of time it takes them to get through.

In an experiment by the Oxford Mail we put ourselves in the position of a patient and rang doctor’s surgeries to see how it takes them to answer.

The experiment found that answering times were mixed across the board with one surgery answering their phone in just 7 seconds and another taking 32 minutes.

If you are unable to get through to your doctor, these are the alternative services you can use for medical advice and treatment.

eConsult

eConsult enables NHS based GP practices to offer online consultations to their patients. This allows patients to submit their symptoms or requests to their own GP electronically and offers around the clock NHS self-help information, signposting to services, and a symptom checker.

eConsult is available across 3,200 GP practices nationally, with lots of surgeries in Oxford and the wider county offering the service.

The NHS website

The NHS website has a range of health-related information about local health services,

This includes information such as your nearest GP, dentist or pharmacy, as well as important information about what to do in a life-threatening situation.

NHS App

The NHS App lets you book GP appointments, order repeat prescriptions and access a range of other healthcare services.

Use the NHS App to:

• get your NHS COVID Pass

• get advice about coronavirus

• order repeat prescriptions

• book appointments

• get health advice

• view your health record

• register your organ donation decision

• find out how the NHS uses your data

• view your NHS number

The NHS App is available now on iOS and Android and to use it you must be aged 13 and over.

NHS 111

NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do.

To get help from 111 you can either call the number from your phone or go to 111.nhs.uk.

You will be asked about your symptoms by a trained advisor or through the website and following this you will connected to the correct service or given advice about what to do next.

Depending on the situation you will:

• find out what local service can help you

• be connected to a nurse, emergency dentist, pharmacist or GP

• get a face-to-face appointment if you need one

• be given an arrival time if you need to go to A&E – this might mean you spend less time in A&E

• be told how to get any medicine you need

• get self-care advice

Pharmacists

Pharmacists can choose the right medicine for you and give advice on health problems. They can help you decide if you need to see a doctor.

Urgent treatment centre (walk-in centre or minor injury unit)

You can go to an urgent treatment centre (UTC) if you need urgent medical attention, but it's not a life-threatening situation.

Conditions that can be treated at an urgent treatment centre include:

• sprains and strains

• suspected broken limbs

• minor head injuries

• cuts and grazes

• bites and stings

• minor scalds and burns

• ear and throat infections

• skin infections and rashes

• eye problems

• coughs and colds

• high temperature in child and adults

• stomach pain

• being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea

• emergency contraception