As the Bank Holiday weekend approaches Islanders are being reminded to use NHS services appropriately and speak to a Pharmacist or call 111 for non-urgent health advice.
All GP Practices will be closed on Monday 2nd May. The 111 service and a number of Pharmacies will be open should anyone need non urgent health advice.
The Beacon Centre will be open for individuals with urgent healthcare problems. Anything non urgent is often better dealt with by a Pharmacist or calling 111. The Beacon Centre should not be used for repeat prescription requests, a community Pharmacy may be able to help. For ongoing health complaints, GP practices re-open on Tuesday.
Dr Amy Poyner, Medical Director at The Beacon Centre says:
“We expect Bank Holiday weekends to be busy but unnecessary visits to the Beacon Centre put an even greater pressure on our services and can mean that people with urgent needs can often have a long wait to see a GP.
“Minor illnesses are much better treated by a visit to a Pharmacy. If it’s something urgent, but it’s not an emergency, call 111 first before making a visit to the Beacon Centre. The 111 service is based at St. Mary’s Hospital and is there to make sure Islanders get the right help. If that means seeing a GP urgently, then it will be arranged.”
Details of the opening times of Pharmacies over the Bank Holiday weekend are available at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/important-information/local-pharmacies.
Francisco Alvarez, Pharmacist at Regent Pharmacy, Shanklin, said:
“For many minor illnesses and conditions we can get people onto the right course of treatment very quickly. A GP appointment is not always necessary. If we have any concerns, whatsoever, whether it is a child who is unwell or an adult, we will refer them to see a GP. If it is something which requires urgent attention, we will telephone the GP and recommend an emergency appointment.”
The Island based NHS 111 service is able to 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Health advice is also available online at www.nhs.uk . Information about local health services is available at www.iow.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
