Islanders are being urged to think 111 this bank holiday, with all GP Practices closed on Monday (30th May).
If it’s non urgent health advice you need this Bank Holiday then a visit to a community pharmacy or a call to 111 is the appropriate service for you.
Direct attendance at the Beacon Centre without calling 111 first should be the last resort says Dr Amy Poyner, Medical Director at The Beacon Centre:
“Anyone attending the Beacon this weekend for something which is not considered urgent should expect a long wait. We are still seeing a large number of patients at weekends and during Bank Holidays who really do not need to be seen urgently. These patients could have considered self care, spoken to a Pharmacist or telephoned 111 and got the help they needed without coming to the hospital and having a 4 hour wait to be seen.”
The Beacon Centre is for individuals with urgent healthcare problems and 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.
For details on pharmacies will be open over the Bank Holiday weekend https://www.islandecho.co.uk/important-information/local-pharmacies.
Dr Amy Poyner, continued:
“If you have an emergency this weekend then we need to see you, if you feel you need to see a doctor urgently then we would ask you to call 111 first, they will very quickly be able to advise on whether you need to come to the hospital.”
Article continues below this advertisement
The Island based NHS 111 service is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 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
