Our guide outlines how you can get health advice and support this Christmas and New Year.
The NHS is always here to help you – but people are being asked to use services wisely to make sure you can get the most appropriate support and help us to help you.
We want to make sure you get seen in the right place, at the right time by the right healthcare professional.
If you are not sure what help you may need, 111 online can advise. There are also pharmacies which are open across the area during the festive period and in the evening.
Self care
Self care starts with looking after your health to make sure you stay well. Many minor illnesses and injuries can be cared for at home, with no need to visit your GP, such as coughs, grazes, and sore throats.
The NHS website has clinical advice on the symptoms and treatment for hundreds of common illnesses.
You can prepare for common illnesses and injuries by keeping your medicine cabinet well-stocked all year round. Find out what to keep in your medicine cabinet.
If you need to request a limited emergency supply of a medicine you’ve completely run out of you can use the Emergency Prescriptions service.
Pharmacies
Pharmacists are trained medicine experts who can give you advice on treating a range of common childhood conditions and minor injuries such as: sore throat, coughs, colds and flu, earache and skin rashes.
You don't need to make an appointment to visit your local pharmacist, and many pharmacies are open during the evening and at weekends. At all other times please use our pharmacy finder.
NHS 111 online
NHS 111 online can give you advice when you have an urgent healthcare need that is not life threatening.
It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
After answering questions about your main symptom, you can find out when and where to get help. If you need it, a clinician will contact you.
When should you use the service?
- You need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency
- You don’t know who to call for medical help
- You don’t have a GP to call
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service but are not sure which one is most appropriate
- You require health advice or reassurance about what to do next
NHS 111
NHS 111 is there for you when you have an urgent healthcare need that is not life threatening.
Use NHS 111 online if you can in the first instance. After answering questions about your main symptom, you can find out when and where to get help. If you need it, a clinician will contact you.
If you cannot use the online service, dial 111 free from any landline or mobile phone. Trained call advisors will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and then direct you to the local healthcare service that’s right for you. If the NHS 111 team think you need an ambulance, they will send one immediately.
When should you use the service?
- You need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency
- You don’t know who to call for medical help
- You don’t have a GP to call
- You think you need to go to A&E or another NHS urgent care service but are not sure which one is most appropriate
- You require health advice or reassurance about what to do next
Minor Injury Units (MIU) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC)
If you have a non-life-threatening illness or injury, there are lots of ways you can access advice and care without going to an Emergency Department. This allows emergency staff to concentrate on people with serious, life-threatening conditions and will save you a potentially long wait.
There are three urgent treatment centres in our region, run by experienced clinicians who can treat minor illnesses and injuries, such as:
- fractures and lacerations
- insect and animal bites
- stitches (sutures)
- dressing care
- minor cuts and bruises
- minor burns and strains
Appointments for urgent treatment centres are accessed by visiting NHS 111 online or calling NHS 111. Patients attending the Emergency Department may be seen by a triage nurse and given an urgent treatment centre timed arrival slot if appropriate.
Emergency and life-threatening care
Only use A&E for life-threatening situations
A&E departments provide immediate care for people with genuine life-threatening emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness
- acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
If it is a genuine emergency, where someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, call 999 and don’t panic.
You can contact emergency services via SMS if you are deaf, hearing impaired or have a speech impediment. Visit the emergencySMS website for more information or to register your phone.
Not sure what to do?
If you need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency; or you want advice about treating your child's symptoms at home; or you need to access a local medical service but you're not sure which one, start with NHS 111.
NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Visit the NHS 111 website or call 111 free from your landline or mobile phone.
Trained advisors will ask you a series of questions to assess your child’s symptoms and then if necessary, book an appointment for you to attend the local healthcare service that’s right for them. If the NHS 111 team think you need an ambulance, they will send one immediately.