NHS services across the Isle of Wight are still operating to care for and treat people over this Easter holiday weekend – despite the temporary changes brought in to help tackle the Coronavirus pandemic.
The key thing to remember is to stay at home, to stay safe and help the NHS save lives.
If you have a high temperature, a continuous cough and think you may have COVID-19, and need care or advice, contact NHS 111 online. Do not visit your GP practice, pharmacy or any other healthcare venue.
If you have other health-related issues and need advice and treatment, the majority of GP practices will open on Good Friday and Bank Holiday Monday. On Saturday 11th April and Sunday 12th, GP access will be the same as any other weekend.
In particular, if children have periods of prolonged fever, pain or other changes such as prolonged loss of appetite, vomiting, not passing urine, tummy pain and other worrying symptoms, their parent or carer should call their GP surgery for advice as usual.
New helplines are also available to provide information and advice, as well as practical support to frail or vulnerable people who do not have support from families, friends or their local community, and who need urgent assistance with practical issues. On the Isle of Wight, call 01983 823600 (7 days a week, 09:00-17:00).
Dr Michele Legg, GP and clinical chair of NHS Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“If you think you need to be seen, please use your practice’s website for an online consultation or phone to discuss whether you need an appointment.
Article continues below this advertisement “People who feel unwell and think they may need a GP appointment should still phone their surgery in the usual way, especially with problems such as like breast lumps, chest pain, and blood in urine.
“Many patients can receive the appropriate advice and support over the phone, with appointments only being arranged for those who really need to see someone face-to-face. This may not be at your usual practice but this will be explained to you when the appointment is made.
“These are exceptional circumstances and the NHS is, as everyone knows, facing major pressures but our staff are still here to help you.
“We know for many people it will be really difficult not seeing family and friends over Easter but there are specialist services available to help you, including a range of mental health support.”
As well as most GP practices, the following options are available this Easter:
Pharmacies
Pharmacists are an essential part of the NHS and need your help and support during the pandemic. Please treat staff with respect. They are doing their best to provide you with the medicines and advice you need.
If you have a prescription to collect:
– If you are 70 or over, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant you should arrange collection by a relative or friend, or ask your pharmacy for help with delivery
– Ask any relatives and friends who are delivering your medicines to ensure they have seen you pick up the bag
– If your medicines are being delivered ensure you keep a safe distance when you receive them.
For everyone else, if you are going into a pharmacy in person, follow social distancing rules and the rules put in place by the pharmacy to protect you and their staff. Sales of some medicines may be restricted in quantity by pharmacies to ensure that there is enough for everyone.
Mental health services
In life-threatening emergencies, always call 999. For urgent mental health support, a new mental health rapid response service has been launched, with calls triaged through the 111 or 999 service. Enhanced web-based mental health support is now available on the online 111 service, via www.111.nhs.uk.
People already using community mental health services should continue to contact their care team as usual. They may receive routine care over the phone or via video-link rather than face-to-face. On the Isle of Wight, over 18s can call the Safe Haven on 01983 520168 or email [email protected] from 10:00-22:00 on weekends and bank holidays. There’s also a 24/7 mental health crisis number – 01983 522214.
Urgent Treatment Centres
The Isle of Wight Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) at St Mary’s can help with a number of conditions including those below. However, you must call NHS 111 to make an appointment – do not turn up without an appointment.
– cuts and grazes
– sprains and strains
– broken bones or fractures
– bites and stings
– infected wounds
– minor head injuries
– minor eye problems.
Emergency dental treatment
If patients have a dental emergency they should call their dental practice during opening hours for advice. If they do not have a regular NHS dentist, they can search for a local dentist on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk and call them.
In the evening and at weekends, patients can contact NHS 111, which will provide advice and direct patients to an out of hours service if necessary. When patients call a practice, a telephone assessment will assess their dental needs, offer advice or prescribe medication to relieve any pain or treat an infection.
Dr Legg adds:
“The NHS is working extremely hard to make sure everyone is able to receive the care they need during these difficult times. The changes in place will help us to do this and local people can help by choosing the right service if they need care over the Easter weekend.
“However, please remember to use our Emergency Departments and/or 999 for life threatening situations such as heart attacks, strokes and serious blood loss. They remain open and able to treat people who need the specialist lifesaving care they provide.”
