The local healthcare system in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire continues to be under pressure and health bosses are asking for the public’s help over the weekend.
A system-wide critical incident is in place due to the continued high demand for services, extended waiting times and difficulty in discharging patients who are medically safe to leave hospitals.
Amanda Sullivan, Chief Executive at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “Ahead of the weekend we are reminding the public how they can continue to support our NHS. Whether this is by making sure you have plenty of your prescription, contacting 111 to check your symptoms first or by visiting a pharmacist for advice, there are many ways you can help.
“One of the most important ways the public can help the NHS is by supporting their loved ones to return home safely if they are well enough to be discharged. This may be by ensuring they are supported to travel to their home or care home or have the right comfortable clothes to welcome them back from hospital.
“There is huge demand for NHS services currently and we are incredibly proud of our staff who continue to work extremely hard during these pressurised times.”
7 ways you can help the NHS this weekend:
- Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.
- If you are unsure where you should go, NHS 111 can help – search online for “NHS 111” or dial 111 from any phone. This will make sure you are seen in the right place and by the right person.
- Consider using Urgent Treatment Centres. They can treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-life-threatening 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
- 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.
- Use the NHS App for access to a wide range of services and information, such as accessing medical records, booking and managing appointments, reviewing medication and ordering prescriptions as well as checking symptoms.
- Flu and Covid-19 are currently circulating in the community, so stay at home if you have symptom and get your jabs if you are eligible. More details about how to get your flu and Covid-19 jab can be found here – Flu vaccine and here – Covid Vaccine.
- Members of the public can also help ease pressures by using their local pharmacy. Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments.
- Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 3779 – the helpline is open 24 hours a day.
