Suffolk Community Healthcare and NHS Suffolk
Go to the right place for medical help this bank holiday

People from across Suffolk are being urged to help the NHS to help them by making sure they go to the right place for treatment this bank holiday and half term.

Suffolk Community Healthcare (SCH) and NHS Suffolk have appealed to the public to think about the most appropriate place to get help and advice so that everybody can be treated quickly and effectively.

Unless your condition is life-threatening, your first port of call should always be NHS Direct, in confidence on 08454647. The helpline is open around the clock and is staffed by medical professionals who can advise on where to go for help. Pharmacies can also offer expert advice on common ailments and the use of medicines.

SCH’s minor injuries unit at Felixstowe Community Hospital offers fast, easily accessible care for a variety of different complaints. Treatment is available for everything from cuts and lacerations to burns, asthma, chest discomfort, strains and sprains, minor head or eye injuries, abdominal pain and palpitations. The nurse-led unit also offers emergency contraception.

Nicola Cottington, acting head of adult services for SCH, said: “We would encourage anyone who has medical difficulties over the bank holiday and half term week to help us to help them by thinking carefully about where best to go for treatment. That way, everyone can get seen and treated quickly and effectively.

“We want everybody to enjoy a safe, happy bank holiday and half term week, but unfortunately accidents do happen. The minor injuries unit provides a fast alternative to A&E for a wide variety of problems and is seeing more and more patients every year.

“Our highly skilled nurses can treat everything from cuts and minor burns to stings, hyperventilation and palpitations, and also offer emergency contraception and help for people with eye injuries.

“We would urge people to only contact the ambulance service or visit A&E in a genuine emergency.”

The minor injuries unit at the Riverside Clinic in Ipswich will also be available for anyone who needs treatment for cuts, stings, strains and sprains.

Anyone who needs a doctor out-of-hours should telephone their surgery to be directed to the GP out-of-hours service. Emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is available from local pharmacies or GPs.

Christine Bower, head of pharmacy and medicines management at NHS Suffolk, said: “We are advising people to keep some basic medicines in their home to help with the symptoms of everyday illnesses such as coughs and summer colds.

“It is also important to make sure that your prescriptions are up to date – but please don’t expect your GP to write a prescription or antibiotics if you don’t really need them. We keep them in reserve so that they are only prescribed where they will do the most good, and this is not when you have a virus.”

Mrs Bower said medicine cabinets should contain a few simple items such as a diarrohea remedy, paracetamol tablets or liquid for children and indigestion relief. You should also check your first aid kit is well equipped with plasters, gauze, tweezers, scissors, non-adhesive dressing, antiseptic cream, bandages, tape and a child-safe thermometer.

More information about getting the right treatment is available through NHS Suffolk’s website, at www.suffolk.nhs.uk while the minor injuries unit at Felixstowe Community Hospital can be contacted on 01394 458820.

The minor injuries unit at Ipswich’s Riverside Clinic is available on 01473 299622.