Ambulance service shares advice ahead of bank holiday weekend
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is asking members of the public to use the right healthcare service this May bank holiday weekend. Bank holiday weekends can be a very busy period for the emergency services, especially when the weather is warm and people are out enjoying the sun - whether in the garden, doing DIY at home, visiting family and friends, or exploring the region's beauty spots.
Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the advice is to:
- Continue to call 999 in life-threatening emergencies only - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
- Visit NHS 111 Online for non-life-threatening medical help or advice
- Make sure you have ordered and collected any repeat medicines
- Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. Details of which pharmacies are open over the bank holiday weekend can be found via the Interactive map
- Visitors to the South West are reminded that their first point of call for GP care is their home practice, who will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to a pharmacy of their choose.
Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: To make sure that we can be there for everyone that needs us in a medical emergency, we're asking you to choose the right care service for you this weekend. We ask that you only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency, this will ensure we have crews available for patients with the most life-threatening conditions.
I would also like to say a huge thank you to our people and NHS colleagues who will be working over the bank holiday weekend to help keep us all safe and well. Should you need their support, please be kind to them.
Which service should I use?
Self-care - for things like grazed knees, coughs, and colds.
Pharmacy - visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches, and pains.
NHS 111 - visit online or call NHS 111 for advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
GP - call your GP for symptoms that won't go away
Minor injuries unit - attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent non-life-threatening conditions and injuries such as sprains, fractures, and burns.
999 - call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren't stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke, and serious head injuries.