With Christmas just around the corner, the Island’s NHS is reminding Islanders about the health services available over the festive period.
From Pharmacies open over Christmas to NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, there are services available Island-wide which can be accessed quickly, in confidence and without a wait to be seen.
Option 1: You can ask to speak to a pharmacist without an appointment and most have private consultation areas. Pharmacists can offer advice and information on many minor illnesses and ailments and recommend appropriate treatments.
Opening times for Pharmacies on the Isle of Wight over Christmas can be found at https://www.islandecho.co.uk/important-information/local-pharmacies.
Option 2: NHS 111 is another option open to Island residents and it’s only a phone call away. Call 111 if you should need medical advice, you’re unsure where to go, your GP Practice is not open or you simply need reassurance on what to do next. The 111 operators will carry out an assessment over the telephone and direct you to the best place to get treatment. The 111 service can arrange for a GP to call you back and they will advise you on the waiting time for this.
Option 3: The Beacon Health Centre has changed and as a result St Mary’s Hospital no longer offers a walk in service. The Beacon is now the Urgent Care Service (UCS) which treats urgent care needs. Anyone who thinks they need to be seen urgently should call NHS 111 first, unless they have been advised to attend by a health professional such as a doctor, dentist, optician, pharmacist, nurse or paramedic.
More people become ill or injured during winter and emergency services are always busy. Before calling 999 or attending the emergency department at St Mary’s Hospital, ask yourself ‘is it a real emergency?’ Serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses include loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding, severe chest pain or breathing difficulty, serious burns, strokes and persistent fits. Misuse of ambulance services can cost lives – think before you dial 999.
Shaun Stacey, IoW NHS Trust Chief Operating Officer, said:
“It is a busy time as we all get ready for Christmas. However, it’s really important to take a few minutes to think about our health and what we may need in order to stay well over the festive period.
“As Christmas falls on a weekend, GP practices will be closed from Friday 23 December until the following Wednesday. If you take prescription medication, it is important to check and make sure you have enough to see you through.
“It is also a good idea to make sure you have a supply of over-the-counter medicines to help you effectively deal with a range of ailments which are common at this time of year. There are pharmacies open every day over the holidays however it’s best to be prepared and think ahead about what you and your family may need.
“If you do become ill over the holidays please choose which NHS service you use wisely. If you’re not sure, call NHS 111 – they’ll direct you to the best place to get treatment. On the days when your GP practice is open, you should contact them as normal.
“Thank you in advance for your support. By being prepared and acting responsibly, you are helping to keep emergency services free for those who really need them.”
A guide to health services over Christmas including pharmacy opening times is available online at www.iow.nhs.uk.
