Getting the right treatment over Christmas and New Year 2011

Caring for yourself

We all have small accidents at home or suffer from ailments such as coughs or colds. Most of the time we can patch ourselves up and care for ourselves with the help of a first aid kit and a well stocked medicine cabinet containing over the counter remedies. Don’t forget to keep your medicine cabinet out of reach of children.

Your medicine cabinet should contain pain relief, antihistamines, oral rehydration salts, anti-diarrhoea tablets and indigestion treatments. Your first aid kit should contain bandages, plasters, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings medical tape and tweezers.

Contact NHS Direct

For online or advice over the phone, NHS Direct is a 24-hour service that offers advice about what to do if you are feeling unwell. The telephone service on 0845 4647 offers confidential health advice and information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Alternatively log on to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Ask your pharmacist

From sprains to stomach upsets, your local pharmacist is qualified to give expert advice without an appointment for many conditions. Very often your local pharmacist can give you advice and save you a trip to your GP surgery.

If you need a regular prescription for a long term condition, please check to make sure that you have enough to tide you over the holiday period. Over Christmas and New Year, it is also useful to know where to go for advice and medicines.

See your GP

If you have an illness that is not responding to self care or advice from your pharmacist, call your GP surgery. Every GP surgery in North Somerset is now open for longer, either in the evenings or at weekends.

If you need urgent medical care when your surgery is closed (and it cannot wait until the surgery reopens), phone your surgery and you will be put through to the Out of Hours service or given the number. They will take details of your problem and make sure you receive the care you need. Depending on your condition, they may advise you to see your GP the next day, give you advice over the phone, ask you to visit one of their centres, or, if appropriate, come and visit you at home.

Visit a Minor Injury Unit

For all minor injuries such as wounds, sprains and broken bones, visit Clevedon Hospital Minor Injury Unit..  

Clevedon Hospital, Old Street, Clevedon, BS21 6BS
Telephone: 01275 872212

Accident and Emergency (A&E)

You should go to your local accident and emergency (A&E) department if you need emergency care for a serious injury, or illness - for example, if you are experiencing breathing difficulties, blood loss, or if you suspect that you have a broken bone. A&E departments are usually open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In an emergency you should dial 999 for an ambulance.  North Somerset’s main emergency department is located at:

Weston General Hospital
Grange Road, Uphill, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 4TQ
Tel: 01934 636363

Unless you need emergency medical attention, it is best not to go to your local A&E. A&E doctors and nurses are equipped to deal with serious medical cases, not routine and minor ailments.