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Wyre Forest Clinical Commissioning Group
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Know your health service options over the bank holiday weekend

Is A&E for me?

Health organisations in Worcestershire are encouraging people to be aware of their health care options over the bank holiday weekend.

A&E is for serious and life threatening emergencies only and there are a number of other health services available to help people if they become injured or unwell.

Many minor conditions such as coughs and colds can be managed with self-care, staying at home, resting and keeping hydrated. Hay fever can often be problematic at this time of year, over the counter hay fever nasal sprays and antihistamine tablets are an effective remedy  and can help you  enjoy the bank holiday activities.

People are also advised to make sure they’re prepared for the bank holiday by stocking up their medicine cabinet and collecting prescriptions early.

NHS 111 is available for people who need non-emergency medical help and advice and Minor Injury Units treat many conditions including minor burns, cuts and grazes and have short waiting times (average 20 minutes). Many pharmacies will be open to ensure people across Worcestershire can get the help they need, when they need it.

There will be changes to opening times for some local healthcare services over the bank holiday weekend, including some closures on Monday 30 May.

Pharmacy opening times are now available on the three CCG websites.

Deb Critchley Interim Urgent Care Lead for the three Worcestershire CCGs said: It’s important to plan ahead and make sure you’re fully prepared for the bank holiday weekend.

"There are a number of different things people can do to be ready, for example, making sure you collect your repeat prescription in good time will mean you're well equipped.

“If you need urgent medical help when your doctor’s surgery is closed, but it’s not a 999 emergency, call NHS 111, a free service which is open 24 hours a day. The NHS 111 advisors can give advice on how to look after yourself at home or direct you to a nearby NHS service that can help. They can also make an urgent appointment with the GP out-of-hours service, if you’re assessed as needing one.”

Useful tips to think about before the bank holiday weekend:

  • Stock up your medicine cabinet, so that you have self-help medicines such as a first aid kit, paracetamol and a thermometer
  • If you have a regular prescription, make sure you have enough to last you until your GP practice opens again.
  • If you need help when your GP practice is closed, and it’s not a 999 emergency, you can call NHS 111
  • If you feel you have a serious or life threatening emergency, always dial 999 immediately or go to your nearest A&E department. If your situation is not life threatening, you can access out of hours GPs and minor injuries units, who will usually be able to help you faster than in A&E.

Helpful contacts:

  • NHS 111 – for health advice or reassurance, to check symptoms, find an NHS service around-the-clock or access out-of-hours GP appointments
  • A local pharmacy – find a local pharmacy on the ‘Is A&E for me?’ website (www.isaandeforme.com).
  • Minor Injury Units – There are minor injury units in Bromsgrove, Evesham, Tenbury, Kidderminster and Malvern. Find contact details for these at www.isaandeforme.com. 

-Ends-

Notes to editors

There are planned diversions to routes on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site on Saturday 28 May from 6am until 6pm to enable work to continue on the A&E expansion. 

All diversions will be clearly signposted and traffic stewards will be on hand to redirect traffic or assist with any problem, to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.

More information will be available on the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust website: www.worcsacute.nhs.uk 

For further information please contact: