Medical staff urge patients to help ease pressure on A&E by considering alternative NHS services

As the Easter break approaches, Swindon medical staff are asking patients to avoid attending A&E unless their condition is critical.

They are asking people to consider making use of other NHS healthcare services. Many are open late, with the Urgent Care Centre on the GWH site being open 24/7 and Swindon Health Centre on Carfax Street open until 8pm.

Executive Nurse Gill May said: “We are encouraging everyone to stock up their medicine cabinets with essentials like plasters, antiseptic cream, paracetamol and indigestion remedies to treat minor illnesses and injuries and to collect repeat prescriptions in time for the Easter break.

“It’s also important that we look out for elderly friends, relatives and neighbours and encourage them to seek help early. Excellent advice on minor illnesses, over-the-counter medicines and urgent repeat prescriptions is available from local pharmacists. NHS 111 is also a good first point of call and can offer medical advice over the phone and information on local services 24/7.”

Dr Guy Rooney, Medical Director at Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We're lucky in Swindon to have some really excellent healthcare services available to us at all times of the day, even over the bank holidays.

“Pease look out for elderly friends, relatives and neighbours and encourage them to seek help early on. If they start to feel unwell - even if it's just a cough or cold, then get help from your pharmacist quickly before it gets more serious.”

The following services are available for the people of Swindon and Shrivenham:

NHS 111	Call 111 if: • you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency • you think you may need to go to A&E or need another NHS urgent care service • you don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call • you need health information or reassurance about what to do next NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles – dial 111.
Out of Hours Service	Call NHS 111 to see a GP out of hours
Children and Young Person’s Clinic	The Children’s Clinic is for people aged from 12 weeks to 18 years old, who are unwell and can’t get an urgent GP appointment. The clinic is open from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday, please telephone for an appointment on the day. Call: 0300 111 0088
Urgent Care Centre on the Great Western Hospital site	If you need to be seen by a nurse or doctor, the Urgent Care Centre can see you any time of day and night, 365 days a year and access urgent medical care from a dedicated team of nurses. Great Western Hospital, Swindon, SN3 6BW. Call: 01793 646 466
Swindon Walk in Centre	8am – 8pm  7 days a week No appointment is necessary. Open to patients of any GP practice or those not registered with a GP. This service is based in Swindon Health Centre, Carfax Street, SN1 1ED.
Dental Access Centre	Friday 14 and Saturday 15 April: open from 10:00-13:00 Saturday 16 April: open from 14:00 – 17:00 Sunday 17 April: open from 10:00-13:00 Telephone 01793 428504 to book an appointment. This service is based in the Dental Access Centre, Carfax Street, SN1 1ED
Trowbridge Minor Injury Unit	Open 7.00am-11.00pm For minor injuries which are not life threatening and urgent care such as sprains and strains, broken bones and minor burns.Call 01225 711329.
Chippenham Minor Injury Unit	Open every day, 7.00am-11.00pm. For minor injuries which are not life threatening and urgent care such as sprains and strains, broken bones and minor burns.Call 01249 456403.

 

Information on the pharmacies which are open over the bank holiday can be viewed on SCCG’s website:http://www.swindonccg.nhs.uk/index.php/your-health/pharmacies

The NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk can also help you to find your nearest open pharmacy in the 'Find and Choose Services' section or you can text the word Pharmacy to 64746 to receive three free texts with the name, address and telephone number of the three nearest chemists to where you are at the time. Most pharmacies post a notice of the nearest outlet open over a bank holiday on their shop front.

For further information or to arrange interviews, please get in touch with:

• Swindon CCG [email protected]
• Or GWH [email protected]