21/04/23

Choose Well2013/14

21/04/23

Choose Well When You’re Unwell

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Choose Well

• A national NHS information and education campaign

• Advice and guidance on common winter complaints

• The most convenient and effective care for you and your family

• Help the NHS

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Why is this important to the NHS?

• Impact of cold weather on vulnerable people

• Free up time of nurses and doctors

• Reduce pressure on already busy A&E, emergency and 999 teams

• Reduce pressure on GP and other teams who support vulnerable people

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Why is this important to you?

Convenience: - get the right treatment first time - reduce waiting- information and advice 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Cost:- some basic low cost essentials for your medicine cabinet

Access to emergency services when you need them:- less delays- NHS teams have more time

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Most common winter complaints

• Coughs and colds

• Sore throats

• Flu

• Norovirus

• General aches and pains

21/04/23

Choose Well When You’re Unwell

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So which service when?

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Self Care

Best option for common complaints such as:

• Coughs, colds, sore-throats

• Upset stomachs

• General aches and pains

• Flu

Why?

• Cost and convenience

• Will get better themselves without medical help

• Can’t be treated with antibiotics

Information and advice

• NHS Winter Health leaflet

• www.choosewellmidlands.nhs.uk

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Pharmacist

Best option for:

• Diarrhoea

• Upset Stomach

• Allergies

• Headaches

• Emergency Contraception

• Common Winter Complaints

Why?

• Local high street expert

• Convenience

• No appointment needed

• Private consultation rooms available

• Face-to-face advice and information

• Advice and support for on-going health complaints

• Healthy Living services

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GP, Out of Hours Service

Best option for:

• Vomiting

• Persistent Cough

• Earache

• Contraception

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)

Why?

• Experts on a range of health conditions

• Access to other local NHS services an prescriptions if needed

• On-going treatment and support for long term conditions

You can access the OOH service locally via the NHS 111 number, or by attending the Emergency and Urgent Care Centre

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Walk-in Centre

Best option for:

• Conditions you would normally see your GP for

• Cuts, sprains and strains

Why?

• Open seven days a week 8am – 8pm

• No appointment needed

• Access to GP and Nursing services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

•Centrally located on the Market Place in Walsall town centre

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Emergency and Urgent Care Centre

Best Option for:

• Minor illness and injuries

• Cuts, strain and sprains

• Sudden onset symptoms which require care out of GP hours

Why?

• Open seven days a week 24 hours a day

• No appointment needed

• Access to GP and Nursing services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

•located on the Manor hospital site, behind A&E

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NHS 111

Call 111 for all non-urgent health queries

• Checking symptoms (not just common winter complaints)

• Advice on self-care options

• Local service finder

• How long symptoms will last

• Interactive First Aid guide

Why?

• Access 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• Expert advice and information

• Improved public access to urgent healthcare services

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Emergency Department (A&E) or 999

Best option for:

• Choking

• Chest Pain

• Blood Loss

• Serious Injury

Why?

• No appointment needed but may wait for up to four hours

• Access to trauma and major trauma services

• Can prescribe and refer you to other services if needed

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Winter Essentials

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Some winter essentials for your medicine cabinet

• Honey and lemon – for sore throats and coughs

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen – pain-relief and to bring down temperature

• Thermometer – normal temperature for an adult is 37 degrees Celsius; a fever in an adult is 38 degrees and above and children over five 37.5 degrees

• Re-hydration mixtures and indigestion remedies – to help with an upset stomach

ALWAYS read instructions for any medicine

NEVER take more than the recommended dose

TALK to your high-street pharmacist if you need advice

CALL your GP if symptoms suddenly get worse or condition suddenly deteriorates

Remember antibiotics will not cure a cold, flu or upset stomach

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Contacts

There are a range of NHS Services on your doorstep..

Remember to leave A&E to those who need it the most

www.choosewellmidlands.nhs.uk

NHS111