Not sure what to do or where to go?
These days there are lots of choices within the NHS. Making the right choice, at the right time will help you get the best possible treatment appropriate for your condition at that time. To help you decide, we have devised a list of services available;
| Self-care | Best choice of treatment for very minor illnesses and injuries such as coughs, colds, sore throats, cuts, bruises. Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet with; – paracetamol or aspirin – indigestion remedy – plasters – thermometer – anti-diarrhoeal medicine – rehydration mixtures |
| NHS 111 | Telephone 111 This is a free NHS telephone number (from both landlines and mobiles) which you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Confidential health advice and information www.nhs.uk/111 |
| Pharmacy | You can visit any pharmacist when you have a common health problem that does not require being seen by a doctor or nurse. They can provide advice on common illnesses such as coughs and colds, including the best medicines to treat them. www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/ |
| GP Surgery (UEA Medical Centre) | Telephone 01603 251600 Open Mon-Fri 08:30-18:30 For urgent medical attention (non-life threatening) For illness ad injuries that will not go away. Doctors, nurses and other healthcare clinics available, pre-bookable and urgent on the day appointments |
| Out of Hours Service | Telephone 111 To be used when the UEA Medical Centre is closed (evenings and weekends). For urgent medical attention (non-life threatening) |
| Accident & Emergency (A&E) | Telephone 999 A&E departments should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation. They provide immediate emergency care for people who show symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured. This includes; – unconsciousness – heavy blood loss – a deep wound or stab – a suspected heart attack or stroke – difficulty in breathing – severe burns – severe allergic reaction – suspected broken bones Your nearest A&E department is at; Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY 01603 286286 www.nnuh.nhs.uk |
A&E (Accident and Emergency) hospital departments should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation. There are a lot of myths about access to A&E and we have tried to highlight the most common ones below.
“Is A&E always the best place for treatment?”
Answer: NO
If you have been suffering from a medical problem for more than 48 hours and your illness is not serious or life-threatening, it is better to seek advice from your GP, calling NHS 111 or visiting your local pharmacist. A&E should only be used for serious/critical illness, if you are badly injured or have life-threatening conditions – see the red box above.
“You get seen faster at A&E”
Answer: FALSE
Emergencies get seen quickly at A&E. People who attend with illnesses or injuries that are not serious will be seen after more urgent cases have been dealt with.
“Calling 999 for an ambulance gets you to the top of the A&E queue”
Answer: FALSE You will be assessed and triaged the same way as anyone else. Patients are seen based on medical need, not who gets to the hospital first.
“A&E doctors are more expert at dealing with medical problems than your GP”
Answer: FALSE
Your GP is an expert in general medicine. A&E doctors are specialists in accidents and emergencies.
“It is difficult to get an appointment with your GP quickly, so it is better to go straight to A&E”
Answer: FALSE
You should always see your GP wherever possible. If you are not able to visit your GP in person, you could phone and ask for a telephone consultation instead. Where there is a genuine medical need, GPs are able to prioritise and should be able to see you quickly. At the UEA Medical Centre, we have an urgent doctor service for medical problems that cannot wait for the next available routine GP appointment. This service runs every weekday between the hours of 8.30am-6.30pm. Outside these hours, you should phone NHS 111 to get access to a doctor when we are closed.
“You get your prescriptions free at A&E”
Answer: FALSE
If you are not eligible for free prescriptions, you will be charged by the hospital pharmacy if you attend A&E during office hours and need medication. At night and weekends, you will not be charged on the spot but the bill will be sent to you for payment.
“If you go to A&E you get all your tests and treatments sorted in one go”
Answer: FALSE
The doctors working in A&E have expertise with injuries and emergency medical conditions, but they don’t always have the specialist experience of your own doctor in the management of general practice conditions.
“All injuries require x-rays so I may as well go straight to A&E”
Answer: FALSE
Not all injuries require an x-ray. Doctors and nurses in general practice have expertise in dealing with and examining minor injuries. During your GP Surgery’s opening hours, it is advisable you go there first, as they may be able to deal with your injury without you needing to attend A&E.