People across Humber and North Yorkshire are being reminded to be prepared, stay safe and use the right services over the upcoming May bank holidays.
With the long weekend fast approaching, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) is encouraging residents to take proactive steps to ensure their healthcare needs are met.
The NHS can be particularly busy on weekends and public holidays, but knowing the most appropriate service available and getting the right care reduces pressure on services and avoids unnecessary trips to A&E departments.
Dr Nigel Wells, a GP and Executive Director of Clinical and Professional for the ICB, said: “The NHS can be particularly busy on weekends and public holidays. It’s important people use NHS resources sensibly and choose the right care, first time.
“This means getting help from NHS 111 for more serious health concerns and urgent injuries, to using local pharmacies for minor ailments.
“A wide range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply with plenty of rest and over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and anti-diarrhoea tablets you can buy from shops and pharmacies. Often there is no shortcut to recovery – in many cases these things just need to run their course.”
Please only use Accident and Emergency departments or call 999 if you have a serious or life-threatening emergency.
Dr Wells continued: “A&Es across the region remain extremely busy – by choosing other health services if it’s not a life and limb emergency and using NHS 111 first, you will greatly help the NHS and those patients who really do need to be in A&E.”
People who need urgent medical help can contact NHS 111 online, via the NHS App or over the telephone. Trained health professionals can advise on where to go for the best treatment or arrange clinical review through the GP out-of-hours service if appropriate.
Use the checklist below to help you and your loved ones stay well this bank holiday:
- Prescriptions: order in good time
People who rely on regular medications are advised to order their prescriptions ahead of time. Ordering prescriptions in advance ensures that medications are available when needed, preventing any interruptions in treatment during the bank holiday weekend.
- Self-care: stock your home medicine cabinet with over-the-counter remedies
Being prepared with items like paracetamol, ibuprofen, indigestion tablets, and creams to treat stings and bites could save you a trip to a pharmacy if you become unwell.
- Think Pharmacy First: visit your nearest pharmacy for minor ailments
Pharmacists are trained professionals; they can assess and offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. Some pharmacies may have altered opening hours over the bank holiday weekend. Click here to find your local pharmacy’s opening hours.
- Talk before you walk: use NHS 111
NHS 111 – online, over the phone or via the NHS App – is free to use and will help connect you with the right care over the bank holiday weekend if you do become unwell. They may suggest visiting a local pharmacy, or if it’s something a little more serious they may direct you to your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre or GP out-of-hours service.
- Let’s Get Better: find the right care
If you do become unwell over the bank holiday weekend, you can visit the Let’s Get Better website for information about health services you can access. The website also offers information on self-care and how to treat minor illnesses and injuries, such as sore throats, grazes, and hangovers, at home.
- In an emergency: call 999
In medical emergencies that could be life or limb-threatening, such as a heart attack, stroke, severe blood loss, or choking, please do not hesitate to call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
- Run out of medicine: call 111 of visit a pharmacy
If you have run out of prescribed medicine and need some urgently, there are a few ways to get an emergency supply, including out of hours. You can call NHS 111 to discuss your options – or visit a pharmacy. Pharmacies can provide certain emergency medicines to patients even if they don’t have a prescription, though you may need to pay.
- Urgent mental health need: 24-hour advice and support
You may need urgent help for many reasons. The important thing to know is you will not be wasting anyone’s time. You can find an urgent mental health helpline in your area by visiting
www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
- Seeing a dentist: in an emergency or out-of-hours
If you need dental treatment in an emergency, contact your dental practice if you are registered. If you are not registered with a dentist, contact NHS 111. If you’re in pain while waiting to see a dentist, take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. NHS 111 can also offer other self-care advice. Only go to A&E if you have:
- heavy bleeding
- injuries to your face, mouth, or teeth
- severe swelling, or increasing swelling of your mouth, lips, throat, neck or eye
- Download the NHS App | access the Orcha health app library
The NHS App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google Play or App store. There’s lots of accredited health and wellbeing apps you can download from our Orcha health app library too – just visit www.humber.orcha.co.uk/.