The health and care system in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire continues to be under pressure and NHS bosses are asking the public to help over the weekend.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Trust are facing extreme pressures and additional measures are being put in place to make sure staff are supported to continue to deliver high quality care to their patients.
To help deal with the pressures and help NHS staff focus on caring for the most serious patients, health bosses are urging the public to think twice about which services they need over the weekend.
Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Our services are facing a huge amount of pressure at the moment but there are ways that the public can help us. Only call 999 and attend emergency departments if it is a life-threatening emergency. If you are unsure where you should go, contact 111 first to make sure you are seen in the right place and by the right person.
“If your concern can wait until Monday, then it is not an emergency and you should contact your GP, 111 or nearest urgent treatment centre for guidance rather than attending our hospitals. Don’t forget that pharmacists are also trained clinicians who can give you advice and over the counter medication too. You can find your nearest pharmacy on the NHS website.
“It is very important we all do our bit to help maintain our services for those who need them the most but I want to stress that the NHS is here for you and if you have any health concerns, please do visit your pharmacy, GP or visit an urgent treatment centre. Thank you for your ongoing support”
Seven ways you can help the NHS this weekend:
1. Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.
2. When you need urgent medical care but it’s not an emergency, please visit NHS 111 online or call NHS111 for advice on how to get the care you need at any time of day or night.
3. Use an Urgent Treatment Centre to treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at:
- Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500
- Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE
- Sutton In Ashfield Primary Care 24 is open 24 hours a day and can be found at King’s Mill Hospital, NG17 4JL
- Ilkeston Community Hospital – is open 8am – 8pm. It can be found on Heanor Road , Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8LN. You can book into this service via 111. For other non-urgent cases, when you need medical advice and it’s not an emergency, please speak to your GP practice or a pharmacist
4. Treat all NHS and care staff with the respect they deserve. Our hard-working staff and volunteers are doing all they can to keep patients safe and supported.
5. Make sure you wash your hands and wear a mask when visiting health care settings in order to protect the public and our own staff from Covid-19.
6. If you are eligible and have not already, please make sure you have had all of your Covid-19 vaccinations. If you are aged 65 or over, a carer, a frontline health worker or at high risk then you can book on the NHS website.
7. Use your local pharmacy for over-the-counter advice and medication. Pharmacists are experts in medicine who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. Find a pharmacy near you.
