Choose the right NHS service this winter

Dr Lynn Hampson

Health workers in the Rochdale borough are appealing to local people to think twice before rushing to the doctor’s or A&E this winter.

NHS research reveals that more than 51.4 million Britons visit their GP for minor illnesses which could have been treated with over-the-counter remedies, while 12 per cent admitted using A&E when they knew they weren’t seriously ill.

Dr Lynn Hampson, local GP and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning lead for planned and unplanned healthcare, said: “This is putting a strain on resources at a very busy time.

“Each winter, GP practices, urgent care centres, A&Es and ambulance services all experience a huge surge in patient numbers. We also know that one out of every four patients visiting A&E could have used other services. For example, high street pharmacists can provide expert advice and remedies for minor conditions like colds and flu.

“We need to ensure that, during the winter, ambulance staff and A&Es are free to help those with serious and life-threatening conditions.

“During the winter, the number of serious and life-threatening cases increases. Temperatures falling below 12 degrees Celsius can cause breathing problems, strokes and heart attacks.

“We know people can sometimes be confused about which NHS service to use, but what we don’t want is people calling 999 or going to their GP when there’s no real need.”

The following are possible alternatives to A&E, depending on your symptoms:

Self-care

A large range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with over-the-counter medicines and plenty of rest.

NHS Choices and NHS 111

NHS Choices is a dedicated website where you can find up-to-date and expert advice on a range of illnesses and complaints. Visit NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk.

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for fast, free medical advice when it’s not an emergency.

Local pharmacists

Your local pharmacist can give expert, confidential advice or medicines for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, asthma and eczema, some allergies and period pain.

Your GP practice or out-of-hours GP services

GP practices provide a range of services by appointment. There are a number of out-of-hours services available in the Rochdale borough:

• Call BARDOC on 0161 763 4242 for urgent out-of-hours advice or to book an appointment.
• Heywood Health Hub, Heady Hill Surgery, Bury New Road, OL10 4RG, offers GP appointments to Heywood GP patients 4-9pm Monday to Friday and 10am-8pm Saturdays and Sundays. Ring your GP to make an appointment.

Walk-in centres and Urgent Care Centre

These services can offer assessment and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries that aren’t serious enough to require a visit to A&E. No appointment is necessary

• Middleton Health Centre, Middleton Shopping Centre, M24 4EL (0161 655 7434): Open 8am-8pm, seven days a week
• Rochdale Urgent Care Centre, Rochdale Infirmary, Whitehall Street, OL12 0NB: Open 24 hours, seven days a week

For full details of local NHS services, including these alternatives to A&E, visit www.hmr.nhs.uk/choosewell

For tips and advice on keeping well this winter, visit www.nhs.uk/livewell/winterhealth