Choose the right health service for your needs this Easter Bank Holiday
A range of health services will be available to patients in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin during the upcoming Easter Bank Holiday to ensure they get the most appropriate care for their needs.
With unprecedented pressures across local NHS and social care services, the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin health and care system continues to ask the public to think NHS 111 first or visit their local pharmacy.
There are many different treatment options available, and people are being urged to remember that A&E is there to deal with genuine life-threatening emergencies and treat those who are seriously unwell. For less serious conditions, there are a range of options available to you.
Dr John Pepper, GP and Chair of Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The NHS is under lots of pressure at the moment. By choosing the right service for your needs, you will be supporting local health services and avoiding long waits.
“There are many different treatment options available. The best way to get the medical help you need is to think NHS 111 first. Phone NHS 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for anything that feels urgent, or if you are unsure what to do. They can direct you to the most appropriate place and even book you a time slot for a GP consultation or A&E if necessary. In life-threatening emergencies dial 999.
“It’s vital that people don’t just turn up or walk into A&E or urgent care services without seeking advice from either NHS 111, GP or pharmacist, first – unless of course, your condition is life threatening.
“If you do need to be seen by a medical professional this Easter bank holiday, it’s important that you seek help – please don’t leave it to chance”
It’s a timely reminder that A&E services in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are available for the following conditions:
- loss of consciousness
- an acute confused state
- fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
For urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses or injuries people can use:
Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs), which are located at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford, treat injuries which don't need emergency treatment. They are open from 9am-9pm seven days a week, for more information visit the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust website.
Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) operate in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry and Whitchurch and treat minor injuries such as bites, cuts, foreign bodies in the eyes, nose and ears, minor burns, scalds, sprains and bruises, and wound infections. This is a walk-in service – you do not need to be referred or to make an appointment, but please note they are not open 24 hours. If your condition cannot be dealt with at the MIU, you will be referred to another appropriate service. For opening hours, visit the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust website.
GP practices will be closed over the bank holiday (Friday 15 April to Monday 18 April). If you’re feeling unwell and are unsure of where to turn, think 111. NHS 111 can help if you have an urgent medical problem and you’re not sure what to do. To get help from NHS 111, you can go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only) or call 111. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you need health advice quickly, but it's not an emergency, you can speak to a pharmacist. They are the highly-trained health professional on the high street and offer a range of services. Some community pharmacies will be open over the bank holiday weekend: NHS England and NHS Improvement Midlands » Bank Holiday pharmacy opening times
For life threatening emergencies, such as a stroke or heart attack, contact 999.
It isn’t appropriate to attend any healthcare setting if you think you may have coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms; you should stay at home if you have symptoms and use the NHS111 online coronavirus service or phone 111 if you feel you need medical help or support.
For more information, visit:
