The NHS is urging people to use health services wisely this forthcoming Bank Holiday weekend to ensure that they get the most appropriate care for their needs.

For most of us, minor injuries and illnesses can be treated using our own medicines cabinet at home. There is really clear advice at www.nhs.uk about what to put in a medicine cabinet, including painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, diarrhea treatments, rehydration salts, antihistamines and sunscreen.

Next stop might be a pharmacy. Community pharmacies can advise and help you treat a very wide range of problems. A list of the pharmacies open during the Spring Bank Holiday in Norfolk can be found below. The list can also be found on any of the Norfolk CCG websites.

If you have a serious health problem – unless it is a genuine emergency – medical advice and urgent healthcare information can be accessed by calling 111, 24 hours a day, seven days a week – including public holidays.

Patients can call the freephone number for non-emergency, but urgent medical concerns that cannot wait to see your GP. The 111 service can also help someone find their nearest NHS dentist in the case of an emergency.

You should call 111 if:

• You need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency

• You don’t know who to call for medical help or you don’t have a GP to call

• You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service

• You require health information or reassurance about what to do next

If you need to be seen immediately but you do not have a serious illness or injury, you can access the Timber Hill Health Centre in Castle Mall, Norwich (7am-9pm), seven days a week 365 days a year, including public holidays.

Cromer Minor Injuries Unit is open seven days a week from 8am-8pm, including public holidays, 365 days a year. The unit is based at Cromer Hospital on Mill Road, Cromer, NR27 0BQ. Tel: 01603 646230. It is run by emergency nurse practitioners, experienced nurses who can see and treat all forms of minor injury.

Dr Ian Mack, Clinical Chair of NHS West Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Please be aware that as it is a bank holiday all NHS services will be busy and experiencing a high number of calls.  Remember that local GP practices will be open as normal at 8.30am on Tuesday if your call is of a routine nature and can wait.

“Now might be a good time to restock your medicine cabinet with remedies such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to treat any minor ailments. People with long-term health conditions who are taking regular prescription medicine should also make sure they have sufficient quantities.”

If people do need to renew repeat prescriptions they are encouraged to do so this week through their local GP practice.

People are being reminded to call 999 only if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, for example with chest pain, difficulty in breathing, unconsciousness, severe loss of blood, severe burns or scalds, choking, fitting or concussion, drowning or a severe allergic reaction.

Neil Storey, Director of Operations for the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said: “Traditionally we see a higher number of 999 calls over bank holiday weekends which puts the ambulance service under additional pressure.”

“We’re asking people to be prepared if they’re going away making sure they take enough medication with them and to consider their options if they need medical attention. We’re also asking drivers and pedestrians to be safe and be seen when out and about as it stays lighter for longer in the evenings.”

Mr Storey added: “Our Trust has launched an online campaign to educate people on how 999 calls are handled and prioritised. The Right Call campaign will focus on how the ambulance service makes the right call for all its patients by correctly assessing and grading each one for the right response time. This is so crews can get to patients with life-threatening conditions first so they aren’t put at risk.”

For more information please follow this link http://www.eastamb.nhs.uk/the-right-call.htm

Norfolk’s community nursing service, which is provided by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) will continue to be available throughout the Bank Holiday.

Anna Morgan, NCH&C’s Director of Nursing, Quality and Operations, said: “Our community-based staff always aim to help people to best manage their conditions, which means we can help people to remain as healthy and independent as possible. Our expert teams will be on hand throughout the Bank Holiday to provide planned care to people within community settings, which can help them to avoid an unnecessary trip to hospital.”

Please find below a list of the pharmacies open during the Spring Bank Holiday in Norfolk.

 

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