If you have a healthcare need this Bank Holiday weekend there are many ways you can access support. The information you will find below is also included in our handy poster attached.
Self care
Remember that you can care for yourself with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest if you have:
- An upset tummy
- Bites and stings
- Pain or headache
- Sore throat (but if for two weeks or more contact your GP)
For health advice, visit www.nhs.uk . For self-care advice, visit Self Care | Frimley Health and Care.
If you are unsure of what to do when your child is unwell or are worried about a child visit the Frimley Healthier Together website for advice and guidance.
Pharmacy
Details of local pharmacies open this Bank Holiday weekend in East Berkshire can be viewed here.
Details of local pharmacies open this Bank Holiday weekend in North East Hampshire and Farnham can be viewed here.
Details of local pharmacies open this Bank Holiday weekend in Surrey Heath can be viewed here.
Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines. They can help you with the following:-
- Minor aches and pains, burns and scalds, bites & stings, head lice, etc
- Queries about medication dosage, type or suitability
- Medicine related to hospital discharge
- Repeat prescriptions
If you do go to a pharmacy, please follow the social distancing guidelines and any other measures that are being taken to protect both you and any members of staff.
Please note – pharmacy opening hours on Bank Holidays are variable and are, therefore, subject to change. You are advised to check if pharmacies are open by telephone before making a journey.
If you have coronavirus symptoms, you should stay at home.
If your symptoms worsen, please refer to the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
NHS 111
Bank holidays are often very busy times for emergency departments, large numbers of calls to 999 and patients through the doors can mean longer waits and additional pressures on the service – consider calling 111 or visiting 111.nhs.uk first.
NHS 111 continues to be just a phone call or a few clicks away for help, advice or referral for urgent medical problems when you’re unsure where to go. To get help from NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can either go to 111.nhs.uk (for people aged 5 and over only), or call 111.
Contact 111:
- when the situation is not life threatening
- if you think you need to go to hospital
- if you don’t know the most suitable place to go or call
- if you don’t have a GP to call or if your GP practice is closed
- if you need advice or reassurance about what to do
- for urgent help with your mental health
Your medical need or concern will be assessed by a health professional – ranging from nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics – without you needing to leave your home. Depending on the outcome, you will, if needed, be directed to the most appropriate health service in a timely and safe way. This may include a booked appointment at the local emergency department if your condition is more serious.
You should also contact NHS 111 in the first instance for any minor injuries (for example, minor lacerations, minor burns, minor facial injuries, minor sports injuries). If appropriate, NHS 111 will book you into an appointment at Brants Bridge, Bracknell to see the relevant clinician.
In all instances, your details will be passed onto the relevant clinicians so that they know when you are coming and why.
Only attend the emergency department or call 999 for very serious or life-threatening situations. This can include:
- loss of consciousness
- an acute confused state
- fits that are not stopping
- chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
- overdosed
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke.
Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma, such as after a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or go on-line at 111.nhs.uk
Minor Injuries
The minor injury service, at Bracknell Urgent Care Centre, London Road, Bracknell, is available 7 days a week, from 8am-8pm.
The minor injury service accepts the following conditions:
- Sprains and strains
- Suspected broken limbs
- Minor head injuries
- Cuts and grazes
- Minor scalds and burns
Please note that this service is for minor injury only. If you need help with a minor illness, such as colds and sore throats, this Bank Holiday weekend, you can speak to a pharmacist or visit a trusted NHS website for information – www.nhs.uk/ or www.patient.info .
Frimley Healthier Together support for parents and carers
If you are a parent or carer and are worried about your child’s health and wellbeing the Frimley Healthier Together website provides expert advice and support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses themselves and equally recognise when they need call their GP, 111 or visit the emergency department.
The site gives clear information for each symptom in a traffic system; red for the emergency department, amber for GP and green for self care. This way parents and carers can be reassured they are taking appropriate action at home and know when they need more specialist help.
Visit frimley-healthiertogether.nhs.uk.