Health care doesn’t only happen in a hospital.
NHS Lothian provides health care and a range of other community services across the Lothian region, which includes Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian. Children can be cared for at home, at nursery or school, or at a local clinic close to where they live. Find out more about community health services and how the different teams work together to give the best possible care for children and young people.
Family doctors & community pharmacies
If you are worried about your child’s health, wellbeing or development, speak to their family doctor (also called a GP) or your Health Visitor first. Children and families are registered with their local GP practice, which is usually close to where they live. GP appointments can be made when a child is unwell and is usually the first place for help and advice for non-urgent care. GPs can make a referral to another service, or to a hospital department if they feel that something needs looking into further. Some GP practices also have Practice Nurses and other professionals that can see patients too.
Everyone can go to their pharmacist for advice or to buy a medicine for a minor illness or ailment. Babies, children and young people under 16 – and their parents or adult carers – can access the Pharmacy services in Scotland | NHS inform, which gives advice and treatment from your pharmacist for a wide range of minor illnesses and conditions.
Who Does What? Understanding Community Services
There are many different departments, services and types of care that are described as a ‘community service’. Some children and their families might be supported by a team of different specialists all working together. For others, they might only need the care of one. Our guide to ‘who does what’ can help children, young people and their families understand how to find the best help, and why types of support might be recommended for them or their child.
Click on the cards below to find out more about each service.
