Your Guide to Choosing Well

@ChooseWellWales

Think carefully before dialling 999 or going straight to the Emergency

Department (A&E)

Inappropriate 999 calls:

• clog up the emergency care system

• increase demand on hospitals &

• affect the time it takes to get to very sick people.

Emergency Department (A&E) or 999

Minor Injury Services

GP or Out of Hours Services

Eye Care or Dentists

Pharmacists

Sexual Health Services

NHS Direct Wales

Self Care

Which NHS services are available to me?

Self Care

Best option for:

• Coughs, colds,

• Sore-throats

• Upset stomachs

• General aches and pains

Why?

• Cost & convenience

• Condition improves

without medical help

NHS Direct Wales

Best option for:

• Expert advice when unsure

• Checking symptoms

•Advice on self-care options

•Local service finder

Why?

• Free convenient expert

advice & information

• Condition improves without

medical help

-----------------------------

NHS Direct – 0845 46 47http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/

Sexual Health Services

Best option for:

•STI Testing & Treatment

•Free Pregnancy Test

•Emergency Contraception

•HIV Advice & Support

Why?

•Free Confidential Advice & Support

•Diagnosis & Treatment

•Highly Skilled Specialist Staff

Pharmacists

Best option for:

•Face-to-face advice & information

•Common winter health complaints

•Advice and support for on-going health complaints

Why?

•Local high street expert

•Convenience

•No appointment needed

•Private consultation rooms

GP or Out of Hours

Best option for:

•An illness or injury that won’t go away or is getting worse

•Help with health life-style e.g smoking cessation, weight loss

•An out-of-hours service at weekends and evenings

Why?

•Experts on a range of health conditions

•On-going treatment and support for long term conditions

Minor Injury Services

Best option for:

Something that needs urgent attention but is not a life-threatening emergency

For example:

•Infections•Rashes•Fractures•Lacerations

Why?

•Open 7 days a week

•No appointment needed

•Access to services such as X-Rays and stiches

•Treated much quicker than A&E because A&E gives priority to life-threatening conditions

Emergency Department (A&E)

Best option for:

ONLY for life-threatening and serious emergencies, such as:

•Serious accidents•Serious burns•Breathing problems•Heart-attacks•Strokes

Why?

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

•Access to trauma and major trauma services

Some medicine cabinet essentials

• 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

Prevention is better than cure

• Good respiratory and hand hygiene prevents the spread of germs

• Clean hard surfaces

• Restrict visits to vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives until you have been symptom free for at least 3 days

• Have the flu jab if you are a carer or in an at risk group

Choose Well Resources

To download your FREE Choose Well app and to download a range of Choose Well posters and

leaflets visit:

www.choosewellwales.org.uk