The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is appealing for the public’s help in choosing the right health service appropriate for their needs, as Island hospital capacity is being used at peak levels.
The high demand is due to several reasons, but mainly because there are high numbers of people who are very poorly and who need to be admitted to hospital wards at St Mary’s. To make sure that those people in need of urgent or emergency care receive help at the right time and in the right place, only those who really need to attend hospital should do so.
Nikki Turner, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, said:
“We’re working really hard to make sure patients are seen and treated as quickly as possible and in the right setting, but we need the public’s help as well. Anyone with a medical emergency shouldn’t hesitate to call 999, but everyone else needs to consider all the other options available to them. For example, calling NHS111 for advice over the phone or attending their local pharmacy where they can get expert support for minor ailments.”
The Trust is also aware that symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting are circulating in the community and anyone with these symptoms should stay at home for 48 hours after symptoms have cleared to prevent the illness from spreading.
The general advice to the public is as follows:
• If you need medical help fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency, the NHS 111 service based at St Mary’s Hospital is able to advise and direct you to the service which can help. You can telephone 111, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The NHS Choices website is also available around the clock at www.nhs.uk.
• The Emergency Department at St. Mary’s Hospital and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies, such as:
– loss of consciousness
– acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
– persistent, severe chest pain
– breathing difficulties
– severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
– if you have been referred by your GP for urgent assessment
• People are encouraged to take more care with their health where possible by either asking their local pharmacy staff for advice, looking for advice on line (www.nhs.uk) or self-treating using some basic medicine cabinet essentials. Information about local health services is available at www.iow.nhs.uk
Advice for older people
• If you’re feeling under the weather, get help as soon as possible. See your local pharmacist or get advice from www.nhs.uk/staywell.
• Speak to your friends, family or carer if you are feeling under the weather. They can help you to get advice from your local pharmacist or from www.nhs.uk/staywell.
• If you have a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat, tell your friends, family or carer before it gets worse. The earlier, the better.
• Getting advice from your local pharmacist or by visiting www.nhs.uk/staywell early may help prevent your bad cough, trouble breathing, cold, or sore throat from getting worse. The earlier, the better.
• Local pharmacists provide expert advice to help you manage your long-term condition or can even help you if you have a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat. They have longer opening hours than GP practices, and most have a private consultation area. They’ll also tell you if they think you should see a doctor.
Advice for the friends, families and carers of older people:
• If you are visiting or caring for an elderly relative or friend who is unwell, get advice from www.nhs.uk/staywell or see your local pharmacist to help manage their care. The earlier, the better.
• If you know of an elderly relative or friend who has a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat, get advice from www.nhs.uk/staywell or see your local pharmacist before it gets worse. The earlier, the better.
• If you’re feeling under the weather, get help as soon as possible. Get advice from www.nhs.uk/staywell or see your local pharmacist.
• Local pharmacists provide expert advice to help you manage your long-term condition or can even help you if you have a bad cough, trouble breathing, a cold or sore throat. They have longer opening hours than GP practices, and most have a private consultation area. They’ll also tell you if they think you should see a doctor.
