Providing Out-of-Hours care

Out-of-Hours is the period when GP surgeries are closed in the evenings and at weekends (6.30 p.m. until 8.00 a.m. on Mondays to Fridays, and all day and night on weekends and Bank holidays.) If you have an urgent medical need during these times you can still call your GP surgery. Your call will either be diverted straight to the Out-of-Hours Service or you will hear a message giving you the number to call. The Out-of-Hours Service may offer you advice to allow you to manage your symptoms or may offer you an appointment to see a doctor or emergency care practitioner.

To contact the Out-of-Hours service directly please telephone:

0845 850 3194 (for all GP surgeries in the Castle Point and Rochford area, except for Dr Gill's Surgery. For Dr Gill’s surgery, please ring the normal surgery telephone number: 01268 566400)
0845 850 2783 (for all GP surgeries in the Southend area)

This service does not affect the emergency 999 service, which is still available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for patients with life-threatening conditions. You can also still telephone NHS Direct for advice on 0845 46 47 at any time.

For further information visit South East Essex PCT’s website at