Keep Well in Winter

   Choose Well

A campaign has been launched by the NHS to help people choose the right place to get NHS treatment when they are ill.  With the weather turning cold it's even more important to choose well as it's a time when all NHS services are under pressure. 

We all want to know if we're ill, or any of our family is ill, we can get the care we need quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

Did you know that across South East London almost £6million is spent every year treating people in A&E with minor ailments?

A campaign has been launched by the NHS to help people choose the right place to get NHS treatment when they are ill. With the weather turning cold it’s even more important to choose well as it’s a time when all NHS services are under extra pressure.

We all pay for the NHS and all want to know if we’re ill, or any of our family is ill, we can get the care we need quickly.

Unless you have a really life threatening emergency, obviously need hospital admission or investigation, have broken bones or serious injury, the best care is not always hospital.

 Your local pharmacist can provide lots of advice and treatment, including information about common conditions such as minor infections, aches, colds and allergies.

Your own GP, has years of experience of dealing with all types of medical problems and has your medical records to hand and is often a better choice than a busy casualty department.

An out of hours service is manned by local GPs when your surgery is closed.

If you use these services you will not only get the help you need quickly and efficiently, you will also be saving money for the NHS which can be used to provide other services you or your friends that may be needed another day.

The campaign uses a colour code system to illustrate the range of services available. Posters, leaflets and other advertising are appearing across the borough throughout December.

Please click here to download Choose Well leaflets

See below for information about services available.

 

 

A&E or 999

Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation. A&E departments provide immediate emergency care for people who show the symptoms of serious illness or are badly injured.

Dial 999 or go immediately to your nearest A&E.

Local A&Es are at:

King’s College Hospital Emergency Department, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS. Tel 020 3299 9000.

St Thomas’ Hospital Emergency Department, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH. Tel 020 7188 7188.

 

 

Minor Injuries Unit

Visit the Minor Injuries Unit at Guy’s Hospital on the Ground Floor, Tabard Annexe, Great Maze Pond, London SE1 9RT.

Open every day 8 am – 4 pm (last patient booked in at 3.15pm). Call 020 7188 3879.

You will usually be seen more quickly here than in A&E.

If you have a minor injury or illness that is not life threatening, including broken bones, broken noses, wounds, sprains, bites, burns and scalds.

 

 

Peckham GP Walk-in Centre

It is always best to go to your own GP as they know your medical history and will be able to assess your immediate needs as well as refer you into a specialist service, such as outpatients, if necessary.

If you are having difficulty getting an appointment with your GP, please contact our PALS Team on 0800 587 7170.

If you do need to use the walk in centre, you can visit the GP Walk-in Centre at the Lister Health Centre, 101 Peckham Rd, Peckham, London, SE15 5LJ.  Call 020 3049 8430.

Open every day 8am – 8pm.

 

 

GP

Most GP practices in Southwark open either early in the morning, early evening or at weekends.

Your local GP surgery provides a whole range of health services including medical advice, treatment, immunizations and vaccinations (such as flu jabs).

If you have an illness or injury that just will not go away, make an appointment with your GP. They provide a range of services by appointment, including medical advice, examinations and prescriptions.

Find a GP online at www.nhs.uk or call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 587 7170 

When your surgery is closed, GP services are provided by SELDOC – the local GP Out of Hours service – on 020 8693 9066.

You can call them from the comfort of your own home to get advice, and if needed, arrange to see a doctor, by appointment at one of their bases, or as a home visit, if you are medically unfit to travel.

 

 

Dentist

All Southwark dentists are accepting NHS patients. For help finding your nearest dentist go to www.nhs.uk  or call the Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0800 587 7170.

For out-of-hours dental emergencies call 020 8299 5509.

 

 

Pharmacist

As well as dispensing prescriptions, your pharmacist can provide you with advice about a range of common conditions such as minor infections, aches, colds / flu, skin conditions, allergies and rashes.

A number of local pharmacies in Southwark offer free medicines for a range of conditions, without appointment (subject to prescription charges, if applicable). Free emergency contraception is also available at some local pharmacies.

If you text pharmacy to 64746 you will receive three free texts with details of your nearest pharmacy.

 

 

NHS Direct Helpline

For confidential health advice and information around the clock call 0845 46 47.

Calls cost a maximum of 5p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary. Your service provider may charge a minimum cost per call.

A confidential interpretation service is available in many languages. Text phone 0845 606 4647. For internet information on all aspects of health and health care go to www.nhs.uk This website allows you to check your symptoms, check hundreds of conditions and treatments and find telephone numbers and addresses for most NHS organisations, including hospitals and GPs.

 

 

Self-care

Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.

A range of common winter illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest. Make sure that your medicine cabinet is well stocked with: Paracetamol, a thermometer, antihistamines, aspirin (not for under 16yrs), rehydration mixture, anti-diarrhoea medicine, plasters, indigestion remedy.

 

The campaign uses a colour code system to illustrate the range of services available. Copies of the leaflet are available here and copies of the poster are available here.  

More copies are available from southwark.communication@southwarkpct.nhs.uk