Medical advice offered for festive break

WITH NHS services across

Leicestershire experiencing very high demand, residents are being advised of the best routes to take to get the medical help we need.

The three Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), University Hospitals of Leicester NHS

Trust and East Midlands Ambulance Service are reminding us

that hospital emergency departments are for potentially lifethreatening emergencies and very serious conditions.

If you don’t have this type of condition, you could be getting better sooner by using another local service.

You will be directed to 111 if you call your normal GP service out-of-hours, but 111 is available 24/7. If you’ve called 111 you will be assessed by a team of highly trained call advisors and clinicians.

Urgent Care Centres are run by healthcare professionals and many have x-ray facilities. They can deal with a range of health issues including sprains, suspected fractures and breaks, minor head injuries, cuts and grazes, minor scalds and burns, ear and throat infections and more.

Pharmacists are highly trained clinicians. They can give expert advice on common illnesses including coughs, colds, aches and pains and they can answer questions about prescribed medicines. They can also advise on treatment of minor injuries and many have private consultation rooms.

You can be prepared to treat minor illness and injury at home using a well-stocked stocked medicine cabinet. NHS 111 is free and gives confidential health guidance and advice, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

For more information on local services visit https://bit. ly/2r3cq1C