Choose Well to get well this Winter
Every year accident and emergency departments across the UK see thousands of patients who could be treated more appropriately somewhere else. A visit to a busy district hospital A&E Department is not the right thing to do for only minor ailments; however many people still remain unclear about what a medical emergency is and what level of treatment they really need.
There is a wide range of NHS services and facilities available in Somerset to help people if they become ill during the winter months.
If your injury is not serious you can get help from your nearest community hospital’s Minor Injury Unit (MIU) rather than a district hospital A&E department. By doing so you allow A&E staff to concentrate on the people with serious and life-threatening conditions and save yourself a potentially long wait.
The ‘Choose Well’ health campaign tries to encourage patients to stop and consider what their real level of health needs is. The options can include:
Visit your local pharmacists
Cough or cold, feeling unwell and ill and need advice? Visit your pharmacy for personal advice on common illnesses and for information on the best medicines for treatment.
Self Care
If you are stocked up with over the counter treatments then you can look after your cold or flu at home, but make sure you see your pharmacist or GP if troublesome symptoms persist or worsen.
Telephone NHS 111
Help is always close at hand with confidential health advice and information over the phone. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
Visit your GP
There are 75 GP surgeries across the county providing a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations and prescriptions. Should you become ill after your GP surgery has closed the Somerset Out of Hours Emergency Medical Service is available. You can access the number by telephoning your usual GP surgery number and listening to the answer phone message or by telephoning 0845 408 8000.
Visit Yeovil’s GP-led Health Centre
You don’t need to be registered at this health centre and can already be registered at a GP surgery. Located on the top floor of Boots in Middle Street the centre is open every day of the year. Normal GP and nurse care is available as well as quick and convenient health checks including blood pressure and cholesterol. No appointments are necessary, walk in for prompt attention. Open 8am to 8pm, telephone 01935 709 269 http://www.yeovilhealthcentre.nhs.uk/
Go to your nearest community hospital Minor Injury Unit
There are 12 community hospitals across Somerset. If your injury is not serious you can get help from a minor injuries unit (MIU) rather than a busy hospital A&E department. By doing so you allow A&E staff to concentrate on people with serious and life-threatening conditions and save yourself a potentially long wait. Local MIU units are listed below:
Bridgwater - Bridgwater Community Hospital, 01278 436705 - open seven days a week 7am - 11pm. Please note that unless a patient is critical, the last appointment will be at 10.30pm to allow patients to be assessed, treated and discharged by closing time.
Burnham on Sea - Burnham on Sea War Memorial Hospital, 01278 773122 - open seven days a week April to October 10am - 6pm, November to March 11am - 3pm
Chard - Chard Community Hospital, 01460 238229 - open seven days a week 9am - 9pm
Frome - Frome Community Hospital, 01373 454770 - open seven days a week 8am - 11pm. Please note that unless a patient is critical, the last appointment will be at 10.30pm to allow patients to be assessed, treated and discharged by closing time.
Glastonbury - West Mendip Community Hospital, 01458 836454 - open seven days a week 7am - 11pm. Please note that unless a patient is critical, the last appointment will be at 10.30pm to allow patients to be assessed, treated and discharged by closing time.
Minehead - Minehead Community Hospital, 01643 701715 - open seven days a week 24 hours a day
Shepton Mallet - Shepton Mallet Community Hospital, 01749 341101 - open seven days a week 8am - 8pm
Wincanton (Treatment Centre) - Wincanton Community Hospital, 01963 828444 - open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays)
Accident and Emergency
Only use A&E or call 999 for life threatening and emergency conditions. For further information on how to protect yourself and your family this winter please visit www.nhs.uk. If any member of the public believes they, or a friend or relative, is experiencing a life threatening medical emergency then they should always telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Community Hospital Minor Injuries Units can treat:
• Sprains and strains
• Broken bones
• Wound infections
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor head injuries
• Insect and animal bites
• Minor eye injuries
• Injuries to the back, shoulder and chest
Minor injuries units cannot treat:
• Children under the age of three
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulties
• Major injuries
• Problems usually dealt with by a GP
• Stomach pains
• Gynaecological problems
• Pregnancy problems
• Allergic reactions
• Overdoses
• Alcohol related problems
• Mental health problems
• Conditions likely to require hospital admission
