As the countdown for Christmas begins, the NHS in Kent and Medway is asking patients to plan ahead and have a healthy festive break.
Winter is a busy time for the NHS. Knowing the right place to go can help you find the treatment you need, faster. Please choose wisely and help us help you.
Kate Langford, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “Health and social care staff will continue to work incredibly hard to provide the best possible care throughout winter.
“It's important to come forward with any health concerns, but you can help ease the pressure by choosing the right service.
“Use NHS 111 online or by phone or visit www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk for a list of local services, including pharmacies and urgent treatment centres.
“Now is a good time to think about whether you have enough medication to last you through the month and get any repeat prescriptions in early – no one wants to run out of medication.
“You can also check your medicine cabinet for important basics, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, as there are many common health conditions you can treat safely at home.”
NHS Kent and Medway is launching its #ChristmasCountdown where useful tips will be shared every day until Christmas. Top tips include visiting your local pharmacy for free advice, with all pharmacy details listed at www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk.
Now is good time to make sure you have had your Covid-19 and flu jabs if you are eligible. Visit www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations for more details.
Help from the comfort of your home
The NHS 111 online service is available for people to use for help on a wide range of health problems. The service is best equipped to direct people to the most appropriate local treatment option, such as GPs, pharmacy consultations, a call-back from a nurse, or urgent walk-in treatment centres.
South East Coast Ambulance Service Medical Director Dr Fionna Moore said: “Always, and especially ahead of the winter, it is really worth people remembering that NHS 111 online is available to provide help and advice and to point people towards the best option for the care they need.
“Of course, if people are facing an emergency, they shouldn’t hesitate to call 999, but we know that many who call 999 could have received the initial help they required from NHS 111 online – be that a call-back from a clinician or via direction to an appropriate local treatment option.
“The ambulance service and the wider NHS is very busy and we know this will continue into the winter months. The public can really help us and those who really need us by making use of the alternatives to calling 999.”
Through 111.nhs.uk people can:
- find out how to get the right healthcare in their area, including whether they need to see a GP or seek urgent care
- get advice on self-care
- get a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional if they need it.
People should call 111 to speak to someone if they need to:
- discuss complex medical problems
- get medical advice for a child under five.