NHS Summer health campaign launched

If you’re spending time during the holidays in Norfolk and Waveney then the NHS is asking you to think really carefully about where to go if you need urgent health care – for example if you have a minor accident.

#GuidetolocalNHS

NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are launching a summer campaign to raise awareness of where to get the most appropriate health advice and treatment locally for visitors to the area.

Research from Visit Norfolk estimates that in 2017 there were 3,266,000 staying trips to Norfolk, staying a total of 13,492,000 nights. The total number of day visitors was estimated at 43,443,000.

Part of the campaign will be to promote the use of the NHS 111 service, encourage visitors to visit pharmacies for minor injuries and illnesses and self-care when possible. The campaign will be promoted on social media using the hashtag #GuidetolocalNHS.

Quick guide for visitors if your condition is urgent but not an emergency:

Make sure you bring any medications with you on holiday. If you have left them behind, speak to a pharmacist who will be able to arrange for them to be sent to your nearest pharmacy.

If you have a minor injury, please self-care or call 111 for guidance

If you are feeling unwell and need advice, either call 111 or visit your nearest pharmacist who will be able to advise you for a range of common conditions.

Visitors in Cromer can contact Cromer and District Hospital who have a Minor Injuries Unit, call 01603 646200. The unit is open seven days a week between 8 am and 7.45 pm, but please remember it is for minor injuries only.

Visitors to Norwich can contact Norwich Walk-In Centre in Rouen Road, which is open seven days a week 7 am to 9 pm call 01603 677500.

All local healthcare services including GP Surgeries and Pharmacies can be found by visiting www.nhs.uk or by calling 0300 311 22 33

Dr Paul Berry from Great Yarmouth and Waveney commenting on the campaign said, “If you’re visiting the area on holiday or perhaps even just for the day, we’d like to ask you for your help to keep our NHS running smoothly. Every year, many of our visitors visit our GPs and hospitals with minor health problems that could have been resolved quickly and easily by visiting a pharmacist or by self-caring. By following our simple guidelines, you will help us to ensure that GP appointments are available for you and your family when you really need them. Please support the campaign and choose wisely.”