Top tips for staying well this bank holiday

With another bank holiday just around the corner, Herefordshire residents and visitors are urged to stay well and be prepared.

Health bosses in Herefordshire want people to make the most of the bank holiday weekend by knowing what to do if you pick up a minor illness or injury and choosing the right care so you don’t have to wait in queues or attend appointments you don’t really need. This includes ensuring you have enough medication to get you through the long weekend and knowing the opening times of your nearest pharmacy and other local NHS services, which can be found here  www.herefordshireccg.nhs.uk/your-services/community-pharmacies/pharmacy-opening-hours

Dr Ian Tait, GP and chair of Herefordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We want people to make the most of the bank holiday and spells of good weather this summer, but we also want to ensure people are prepared to look after themselves and we want people to know where to go if they do have a health need over the weekend.

“If you are unlucky enough to need medical advice when your surgery is closed – ask your community pharmacist or ring NHS 111. Calls to 111 are free from mobiles or landlines and provides help and advice 24hours a day. If you need to see a health professional the 111 service will be able to give you an appointment."

Local residents are also being reminded of the alternatives to a visit to the Emergency Department at the County Hospital over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The department is only for serious injuries or illnesses – and people who turn up there with minor injuries may end up waiting a long time while staff attend urgent patients.

Jon Barnes, chief operating officer at Wye Valley NHS Trust, said: “Traditionally we can be busy over bank holiday weekends. Summer is no exception so we’re urging people to consider alternatives and only attend the Emergency Department if they have a serious injury or illness.”

NHS alternatives:

• Telephone NHS 111
• Seek advice from your local pharmacy.  For more information on local health services, visit www.nhs.uk
• Use the Taurus extended hours GP services at Wargrave House Surgery, St Owen Street, Hereford; The Marches Surgery, Westfield Walk, Leominster; and Pendeen Surgery, Kent Avenue, Ross on Wye, which are available by appointment on weekends and bank holidays by calling NHS 111 www.taurushealthcare.co.uk .
• Ledbury Community Health and Care Centre Minor Injury Unit which is open 24- hours-a-day (including bank holidays) , or Leominster Community Hospital and Ross Community Hospital Minor Injury Units which are open from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday only (excluding bank holidays). Kington Health and Social Care Centre Minor Injury Unit which is open daily from 8am to 8pm (excluding bank holidays).

For useful information on symptoms and treatments, visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk