Accident and emergency (A&E) departments are for serious or life-threatening conditions which need immediate medical attention, such as:

• lossofconsciousness• stroke• persistent,severechestpain• severebreathingdifficulties• severebleedingwhichcannotbestopped

A&EshouldonlybeusedifotherNHSservicescannot help, or when your symptoms are serious oryouarebadlyinjured.

The staff at A&E will always see patients with themostseriousillnessesfirst,whichmeansthatanyone with a less urgent condition may need to waitforseveralhoursbeforetheyaretreated.

Pleaseremember,ifit’snot999,dial111.

A&E

Help understanding this leaflet

PublishedbyIpswichandEastSuffolk Clinical Commissioning Group

RushbrookHousePapermill LaneBramfordIpswichIP84DE

Telephone:01473770000Email: ipswichandeastsuffolk.ccg@nhs.net

@IESCCG

/NHSIpswichandEastSuffolkCCG

www.ipswichandeastsuffolkccg.nhs.uk

If you would like this information in another language or another format, including audio tape, braille or large print, please call 01473 770 014.

Look afteryourselfLook afteryourself

Wehopeyoucanusethisleaflettolookafteryourselfandyourfamily.

Firstly,someofthebestthingstokeepillnessatbayare to wash your hands while preparing food or afterusingthetoilet,takeregularexerciseandenjoyabalanceddiet.

Ifyouhaveaminorillnessorinjury,lookafteryourselfathomeandgetplentyofrest.Over-the-counter medicines can ease the symptoms of colds, coughsandfevers,whileafirstaidkitwillhelpyoutreatcutsandscalds.

Youneverknowwhenyoumayfallill,sotrytomakesureyourmedicinecabinetcontains:

• paracetamol(andsyrupifyouhavechildren)• ibuprofengel• medicinestotreatdiarrhoeaandindigestion• rehydrationsalts• creamorspraytotreatinsectbitesandstings• athermometer• antihistaminemedicineforallergies• asterilebandage,someplastersandmedicaltape• eyewash

Ifyoutakeregularmedication,remembertoorderany repeat prescriptions in good time so that you don’trunout.

Yourlocalpharmacistisanexpertonmedicines,andcangiveyoulotsofadviceonthebestwaytotreatproblemssuchascolds,coughs,minorburns,diarrhoea,sprains,bumpsandbruises.Theyarealsoabletodispenseprescriptionsandcananswerquestionsaboutmedication.

Youcantalktoyourpharmacistinconfidenceaboutyoursymptomswithouthavingtobookanappointment.Theycanalsogiveadviceonwhetheryouneedtoseeyourdoctor.

ManypharmaciesacrossSuffolkalsoofferotherservicestohelpyoustaywell,suchasbloodpressurechecksoradviceonmaintainingahealthyweightorstoppingsmoking.Somecanarrangetocollectyourrepeat prescription from your GP, which means you won’thavetotraveltoyoursurgeryasoften.

Youcancheckwhichservicesareavailableatyourlocalpharmacybyvisitingwww.nhs.uk/Service-Search

YourGPcangiveyouadviceonmostphysicalandmentalhealthproblems.Theteamatyoursurgerycanorganiseprescriptionsorbookimmunisations.Somesurgeriescarryoutminorsurgeryorcanhelpifyouhaveaminorinjury,whilemanyprovidestopsmokingandotherwellbeingservices.Thereceptionistsatyoursurgerywillbeabletogiveyouinformationaboutthefullrangeofservicesitoffers.

Caring for yourself Going to see your GP

Yourmentalwellbeingisimportant,andyoucandoalottotrytomaintainapositiveoutlook,suchasavoidingexcessalcoholandstayingactive.Ifyouarefeelinganxious,upsetorstressedyoucancontacttheSuffolkWellbeingServicewhichistheretohelpyoumanageandmakechangesforthebetter.Theserviceprovidesshort-termsupportsuchasworkshops,counsellingandothertalkingtherapiesfordepression,anxietyandtrauma.Formoreinformation,call03001231781orvisitwww.readytochange.org.uk.Ifyouareunsureaboutwhathelpyouneedandyouarenotincrisis,callNorfolkandSuffolkFoundationTrustPatientAdviceandLiaisonServiceon08002797257. Need help urgently?

IfyouarecurrentlyreceivingcareortreatmentfromNorfolkandSuffolkFoundationTrust,usethenumberyouhavebeengiven.Ifyoucan’tfindit,call03001231334. • Samaritansofferemotionalsupportwhenyouneedtotalktosomeone.Call08457909090.

• ChildLinehelpschildrenoradultsworriedaboutchildren.Call08001111.

• FRANKgivesinformationaboutdrugs.Call03001236600or,ifyouhaveahearingimpairment,03001231099.

Looking after your mental health

Getting advice from your local pharmacy

YoushoulduseNHS111ifyouurgentlyneedmedicalhelporadvicebutit’snotalife-threateningsituation.Youshouldcall111ifyou:

• arenotsureifyouneedtogotoA&EorneedanotherNHSurgentcareservice

• don’tknowwhotocallordon’thaveaGPtocall• needhealthinformationorreassuranceaboutwhattodonext

NHS111isavailable24hoursaday,sevendaysaweek.Callsareansweredbyspeciallytrainedadvisorswhoaresupportedbyexperiencedhealthcareprofessionals.Theywillaskquestionsaboutyoursymptomsbeforegivingyouadviceordirectingyoutothelocalservicebestsuitedtomeetyourneeds.

When to call 111