27/04/2016 - Permalink

Get the right treatment this Bank Holiday weekend

Related topics: Health / Partner organisations

News from our partners Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Telford & Wrekin CCG

There is a range of NHS services available to make sure you get the right treatment at the right time throughout the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend 2016.

People can access a variety of treatment and care by making sure they ‘choose well’ and use services such as their local community pharmacist, NHS 111 or Shropdoc.

In particular they should:

  • Make sure they have enough of their usual prescription medicines
  • Stock up on over-the-counter remedies and First Aid items from your local pharmacy
  • Know which services are available even if your GP surgery is shut.

Dr Stephen James, Shropshire GP and Clinical Director of Information and Enhanced Technologies for NHS Shropshire CCG, said:

“It is important that local people know where to go if they are unwell, so that they can receive the best possible treatment in the quickest time for their condition.

“During Bank Holidays we tend to see an increase in calls to our out-of-hours GP service from people who have simply forgotten to re-order prescription medicines such as asthma inhalers. It’s not a good use of this valuable service and can cause delays for someone who really needs to see a GP.

Dr Jo Leahy, Telford GP and Chair of NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG, said:

“We want people to enjoy their long weekend but we want them to ensure they are prepared to be able to deal with any minor aliments or illnesses. By knowing more about the different health services available and what they offer, you can get yourself and your family the right treatment much faster.

“Local pharmacists can also provide free health advice and no appointment is necessary. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give expert help on everyday illnesses and answer questions about prescribed and over the counter medicines. ”

There is a holiday pharmacy rota operating in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, which can be found here.

Help and advice is available 24-hours-a-day by ringing NHS 111 (just dial 111) for free.

Patients can also call the out-of-hours GP service, Shropdoc, when their own surgery is closed on 0333 222 66 55.