During the winter months, where NHS services are often under extreme pressure, residents of Lancashire and South Cumbria are being asked to choose the right service to get the care they need.
By familiarising yourself with the different services that are available in your local area, you will be seen by the right healthcare professionals sooner.
For serious but non-life-threatening injuries and symptoms, visit 111.nhs.uk or phone 111.
You will be asked questions about the age, sex, postcode and main symptoms of the person you are calling about, and a series of questions about their health problem to determine the right healthcare for you in your area, including whether they need to see a GP or seek urgent care.
A new offer from 111 is the availability of mental health support. People in England who are experiencing a mental health crisis will be able to dial 111, and by choosing the ‘mental health option’ (option two) they will be put through to their local crisis service.
Urgent treatment centres or walk-in centres are also available in some areas if you need urgent medical help that’s not serious or life-threatening.
In any life-threatening situation, always call 999 or attend your closest A&E.
Dr David Levy, medical director for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Choosing the right service not only means receiving care and advice from the most appropriate healthcare professional, it also means you will be assessed sooner and spend less time waiting for a GP appointment or sitting in A&E. Attending A&E and calling 999 should only be for serious injuries or illnesses where life is at risk, such as severe bleeding, scalds or burns, chest pain, suspected stroke or loss of consciousness.
“Otherwise, visiting 111 online in the first instance is the best option.”
Many illnesses and minor injuries don’t always need a doctor or a nurse (or any other health professional), such as small cuts, headaches, cold and flu, and sprains and strains. Sometimes rest, lots of water and over-the-counter medicines from your local pharmacy or supermarket can help your recovery at home.
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who can give you expert advice, and you don’t need an appointment to see them, while many pharmacies are open late and at weekends. Most have a consultation room so you can talk to them in private.
They can also help with questions about medication and make sure you’re taking it correctly.
In addition to this, Pharmacy First is a national service that recently launched in Lancashire and South Cumbria allowing pharmacists to prescribe NHS medicines where clinically appropriate without the need for the individual to wait for an appointment with their GP practice.
People can be referred to the service by their GP practice or, for some health conditions, they can just walk in.
The conditions that can be treated without the need for first contacting the GP practice are:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Earache in children
- Infected insect bite
- Impetigo
- Shingles
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
For more information on Pharmacy First, or to find your nearest pharmacy, visit www.nhs.uk/thinkpharmacyfirst
For other health issues, your GP practice can help. Appointments may be online, on the phone or face-to-face and can be made at evenings and weekends.
Dr Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director at the ICB, said: “GP practices have a range of different healthcare professionals who can support a variety of conditions, from nurses who can offer health checks, take blood samples and prescribe some medications to social prescribing workers who can connect patients to community-based support.
“People often feel they need to see a doctor, but by seeing one of the many other healthcare professionals in a GP practice or a pharmacy they will get the best service for their need. By doing this it may be possible to be seen sooner than if they were to wait to see a doctor.
"Visiting your local pharmacy is a great way to get treated for a minor condition quickly and you don’t need an appointment. Your GP practice might direct you to the pharmacy for a consultation which we would recommend people accept.
“We want to ensure people get the best service by knowing how to access them and where to find the right information.”
If you have pain in your mouth, teeth or gums, you will need to contact a dentist. For urgent dental treatment or advice contact your usual dental practice in the first instance. Alternatively, the Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline can also provide advice, support and an appointment where required. It is charged at your local rate. Call 0300 1234010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.
Outside of these hours, for urgent dental support call 111.
The NHS website www.NHS.uk is an online guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
The website can also help find the service they need and book appointments online – including finding the nearest pharmacy, dentist, GP surgery, and urgent and emergency care service.
A full list of mental health support options, including Talking Therapies, is also available
via website.
To find further information on other local health services, visit www.healthierlsc.co.uk/winter.
Christmas and New Year pharmacy opening times will be available on the ICB website in the weeks leading up to Christmas.