If you need health help this Bank Holiday don’t forget to Choose Well so that emergency services remain available for those in the greatest need. 

HealthEast, Great Yarmouth and Waveney’s clinical commissioning group is reminding people of the range of options available to them this Bank Holiday and during the half term holiday:

·         Self-care: the best choice to treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries. A range of common illnesses and complaints, such as coughs and colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.

·         Your local pharmacy: for confidential, expert advice on a range of common illnesses or complaints.

·         Your GP: If you have an illness or injury that will not go away. You can make an appointment with your practice for medical advice, examinations and prescriptions. If you need to see a GP urgently when your practice is closed, you can access the out-of-hours service by phoning NHS 111 direct. All calls to 111 are free from a landline or a mobile. Your call will be answered by a trained call handler, whose job it is to ensure that you access the most appropriate local service.

·         Your dentist: NHS dental treatment is available to everyone.

·         NHS 111: for medical help and advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. NHS 111 is a free to call telephone number for people wanting to access urgent healthcare but not needing to call 999. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

·         Minor injuries or walk-in centre: access to a range of treatments for minor illnesses and injuries. The nearest Walk-In Centre is at Greyfriars Health Centre in Phoenix House, Howard Street South, Great Yarmouth open from 8am to 8pm every day. You can go to the GP-run Walk-In Centre for urgent – but not life-threatening – illnesses or injuries.

There are also three minor injury units (MIUs) also open in Halesworth, Beccles and Southwold.

The unit in Halesworth is now at Cutler’s Hill Surgery, adjacent to Patrick Stead Hospital on Bungay Road, Halesworth, IP19 8HP. It is open from 8.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday (not bank holidays or weekends) and is available by ringing 01986 874618.

The unit at Beccles Hospital, St Mary’s Road, Beccles, NR34 9NQ, is open seven days a week between 8am to 8pm and can be contacted on 01502 719821.

The unit at Southwold Surgery, York Road, Southwold, IP18 6AN, is open from 8am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday (not bank holidays or weekends) and is available by ringing 01502 722326.

·         Emergency department or 999: for critical or life-threatening conditions. Emergency services are very busy. They should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.Your nearest emergency department can be found at:James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Lowestoft Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR31 6LA

Make sure you Choose Well – get the right treatment for you! 

For more information about healthcare in Great Yarmouth and Waveney, visit the HealthEast website at www.greatyarmouthandwaveneyccg.nhs.uk and click on ‘your services’.

For a list of pharmacy opening times over the holiday, click on the link on the homepage.