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Emergency Department
are very busy so A&E's are asking:- "Please only attend if you really need to!"
DOCTORS and nurses at the Royal
Liverpool University Hospital are urging the people of Liverpool to think
about whether they could be treated elsewhere before coming to the emergency
department and are asking for their support during this busy period.
All hospitals are experiencing increased attendances.
Dr Kate Clark, emergency medicine consultant, said:- "We are seeing
large numbers of patients and the department is very busy. There are many
other ways of getting the healthcare you need and many illnesses and
injuries don't need to be treated in a hospital. There are lots of good
support services out there, including NHS 111 and your GP. There are
lots of very unwell people who do need our care and treatment. We really
need the support of the people of Liverpool to allow us to look after the
people who need us. Please think about whether you really need our care and
treatment." There are a range of different healthcare providers in Liverpool that people
can access if they have concerns about their health.
Here's a guide to local health services:-
►
Your Local GP
Your GP should be your first point of contact for non-emergency illnesses
you can't treat yourself. Your GP is available from 8.00am to 6.30pm
weekdays, with same day appointments available, if necessary. Many GPs
across the city are offering more appointments during the winter period. If
you don't have a GP, you can register with your local surgery. If you're not
sure where this is, you can find out at:-
NHS.UK or call:- 0300 77 77 007.
►
GP Out of Hours Service
If your local surgery is closed, you can still see a GP with the GP
out-of-hours service; just contact your local practice and your call will be
re-directed. GP out of hours services in Liverpool are provided across the
city. Most of the doctors who provide this service also work in local
practices. It's very likely that you and your family will be seen and
treated more quickly using the out of hours service than if you were waiting
to see a doctor in A&E, especially at busy times.
You can also access treatment quickly by considering one of these
alternative options:-
►
NHS 111
When you need medical help or advice fast, but it is not a 999 emergency,
you can also call the NHS 111 service. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day,
365 days a year and calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
►
NHS Walk In Centres
Walk-in centres provide treatment 365 days a year for illnesses that you
can't treat yourself and there's no need to book an appointment. Opening
times and locations are
here.
►
Pharmacy Services
Your local pharmacy can offer free, confidential and expert advice on a
range of health issues. They can help you prepare for many of the common
illnesses like coughs and colds and ensure you have a well stocked medicine
cabinet over the holiday period.
► NHS Choices Website
You can find a wealth of advice about hundreds of health conditions, details
of GPs, pharmacies and dentists in your local area by visiting the NHS
Choices
website.
5 things the NHS recommend you do to Stay Well this
winter:-
► Make sure you get your flu jab.
► Keep your home at least 18°C (65°F).
► Take advantage of financial schemes and discounts to help you pay for
heating.
► Visit your local pharmacist as soon as you start to feel unwell.
► Look out for other people who may need a bit of extra help over the winter.
Visit:-
NHS.Org.UK/Staywell for more information. |
