Ambulance service shares advice ahead of upcoming bank holiday weekend and half-term
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is asking members of the public to use the right healthcare service during the upcoming bank holiday weekend and school half-term break. This can be a very busy period for the emergency services, particularly when it coincides with warmer weather and school holidays.
With children off school, families are more likely to be out and about, visiting loved ones and exploring the South West's beaches and countryside.
- To help ensure emergency services are available for those most in need, SWASFT is encouraging the public to:
- 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 choice.
A spokesperson for the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: To ensure we can continue to respond quickly to people experiencing life-threatening emergencies, we're asking everyone to think carefully about the best place to go for their healthcare needs this bank holiday and half-term.
With schools closed and many families out enjoying the sunshine, it's important to plan ahead and choose the right service for you. 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'd also like to thank all our people and NHS colleagues who will be working over the break to help keep everyone safe. If you do need their help, please treat them with kindness and respect.
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 - NHS 111 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.