18/04/23

Choose Well2013/14

18/04/23

Choose Well When You’re Unwell

3

Choose Well

• A national NHS information and education campaign

• Advice and guidance on common winter complaints

• The most convenient and effective care for you and your family

• Help the NHS

4

Why is this important to the NHS?

• Impact of cold weather on vulnerable people

• Free up time of nurses and doctors

• Reduce pressure on already busy A&E, emergency and 999 teams

• Reduce pressure on GP and other teams who support vulnerable people

5

Why is this important to you?

Convenience: - get the right treatment first time - reduce waiting- information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Cost:- some basic low cost essentials for your medicine cabinet

Access to emergency services when you need them:- less delays- NHS teams have more time

6

Most common winter complaints

• Coughs and colds

• Sore throats

• Flu

• Norovirus

• General aches and pains

18/04/23

Choose Well When You’re Unwell

8

So which service when?

9

Self Care

Best option for common complaints such as:

• Coughs, colds, sore-throats

• Upset stomachs

• General aches and pains

• Flu

Why?

• Cost and convenience

• Will get better themselves without medical help

• Can’t be treated with antibiotics

Information and advice

• NHS Winter Health leaflet

• www.choosewellmidlands.nhs.uk

10

Pharmacist

Best option for:

• Diarrhoea

• Upset Stomach

• Allergies

• Headaches

• Emergency Contraception

• Common Winter Complaints

Why?

• Local high street expert

• Convenience

• No appointment needed

• Private consultation rooms available

• Face-to-face advice and information

• Advice and support for on-going health complaints

• Healthy Living services

11

GP, Out of Hours Service

Best option for:

• Vomiting

• Persistent Cough

• Earache

• Contraception

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Why?

• Experts on a range of health conditions

• Access to other local NHS services an prescriptions if needed

• On-going treatment and support for long term conditions

You can access the OOH service locally via the NHS 111 number, or by attending the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre

12

Walk-in Centre

Best option for:

• Conditions you would normally see your GP for

• Cuts, sprains and strains

Why?

• Open seven days a week 8am – 8pm

• No appointment needed

• Access to GP and Nursing services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

•Centrally located on the Market Place in Walsall town centre

13

Emergency and Urgent Care Centre

Best Option for:

• Minor illness and injuries

• Cuts, strain and sprains

• Sudden onset symptoms which require care out of GP hours

Why?

• Open seven days a week 24 hours a day

• No appointment needed

• Access to GP and Nursing services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

•located on the Manor hospital site, behind A&E

14

NHS 111

Call 111 for all non-urgent health queries

• Checking symptoms (not just common winter complaints)

• Advice on self-care options

• Local service finder

• How long symptoms will last

• Interactive First Aid guide

Why?

• Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Expert advice and information

• Improved public access to urgent healthcare services

15

Emergency Department (A&E) or 999

Best option for:

• Choking

• Chest Pain

• Blood Loss

• Serious Injury

Why?

• No appointment needed but may wait for up to four hours

• Access to trauma and major trauma services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

18/04/23

Winter Essentials

17

Some winter essentials for your medicine cabinet

• Honey and lemon – for sore throats and coughs

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen – pain-relief and to bring down temperature

• Thermometer – normal temperature for an adult is 37 degrees Celsius; a fever in an adult is 38 degrees and above and children over five 37.5 degrees

• Re-hydration mixtures and indigestion remedies – to help with an upset stomach

ALWAYS read instructions for any medicine

NEVER take more than the recommended dose

TALK to your high-street pharmacist if you need advice

CALL your GP if symptoms suddenly get worse or condition suddenly deteriorates

Remember antibiotics will not cure a cold, flu or upset stomach

18

Contacts

There are a range of NHS Services on your doorstep..

Remember to leave A&E to those who need it the most

www.choosewellmidlands.nhs.uk

NHS111