People in the Black Country are being reminded how to stay well this summer, and what NHS services are available should they need help.
Whether it’s self-care at home, visiting a local pharmacist for advice, contacting your GP practice for ongoing symptoms or an urgent treatment centre for something more serious, knowing where to seek the correct medical help allows health and care professionals to prioritise urgent care for those who need it most.
If you need medical help this summer, please choose well by following these four key steps:
1. Remember self-care – Many minor illnesses can be treated at home with a well-stocked medicine cupboard. This could include painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, anti-diarrhoea medicines, antihistamines to help with allergies and a first aid kit including plasters, bandages, and a thermometer. Most of which can be bought from your local supermarket or pharmacy.
2. Visit your local pharmacy – Your local pharmacist should be your first port of call for any minor ailments. Pharmacists are trained medical professionals who can help with a range of illnesses, including abdominal pain, sore throats, insect bites and stings, and urine infections. You can check your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website here.
3. Book a GP appointment – If your symptoms don’t go away, or it’s something a pharmacist can’t help with, make an appointment with your GP practice. If you need a repeat prescription, remember it can be sent to any pharmacy you choose, even if you’re on holiday in the UK.
4. Contact NHS 111 – If you need urgent medical help or advice, you should contact NHS 111 and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment such as a local pharmacy, GP or a local urgent treatment centre. You can contact the service online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You should only call 999 and attend accident and emergency departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.
Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “This summer, we want to make sure everyone who might need our NHS, gets the right care at the right time.
“Your local pharmacist should be your first port of call for any minor conditions. Pharmacists are qualified health professionals who can offer advice and medicines for a range of ailments. And, if symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, they have the right training to make sure patients get the help they need.
“It is also useful to think about stocking your medicine cabinet up with any essentials in case you need to treat any unexpected minor health concerns at home over the summer. You can ask your local pharmacist for advice on any medicines you might need.
“If you need urgent medical help or advice and you don’t know what to do, you should contact NHS 111 in the first instance, and they will direct you to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment.
“The NHS is here for everyone, and we aim to ensure health services are available for you when you become ill. However, to do this we need everyone’s support and choosing well this summer will ensure you get the right care for your needs.”
You can contact NHS 111 online by visiting 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. To find a pharmacy near you, visit the NHS website here.
