Make the Right Choice / NHS 111

If you need urgent medical help but you're not sure where to go, use 111 to get assessed and directed to the right place for you - including your GP practice, pharmacy, or self-care at home.

Call, go online or use the NHS App. Info: https://nhs.uk/111

NHS 111 Online can tell you:

• where to get help for your symptoms, if you're not sure what to do
• how to find general health information and advice
• where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
• how to get a repeat prescription

If you’re worried about your health, don’t delay. We’re here to help you stay well this winter.

Please call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, critical or life-threatening situation.

If you are bringing a loved one home from the hospital, please follow simple steps to help support them on their return home, including:

• Make sure they have their prescription medicines available, or check if they need help picking them up
• If your loved one needs help while GP practices or pharmacies are closed, NHS 111 is here for them
• Ensure they have enough to eat and drink
• Make sure there are no trip hazards to prevent falls
• Ensure their house is adequately heated and that they have clean bedding
• Provide emotional support – leaving hospital can sometimes feel overwhelming
• Know who to contact if you need help

If you’re not able to care for them, and/or need help to do so, then you have a right to a carer’s assessment to have your needs considered too. Check what your local council can offer - find their website here: gov.uk/find-local-council

Watch these videos from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside for more tips around bringing a loved one home from hospital. 

Infection prevention and control is a priority for our Trust. It's a vitally important part of keeping our patients and staff safe.

As the colder months approach, our IPC team are highlighting a range of simple steps for members of the public who visit someone in hospital. The advice includes:

• Visiting? Don’t bring infections with you – do not visit someone or accompany them in hospital if you have symptoms of a cough, cold, diarrhoea, vomiting, or any other infectious condition.
• Follow visiting guidelines – adhere to ward-specific rules on visitor numbers and times, and use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if advised by staff.
• Help keep hospitals clean – please report any litter or spillages to staff, and respect cleaning times in wards and other areas.
• Wash your hands - regularly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially before and after visiting someone in hospital.
• Catch it, bin it, kill it – use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes, dispose of them quickly, and wash your hands immediately.

For more information about how you can help, visit Preventing Infection :: Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The NHS Find a Service resource is available here: Find services near you - NHS

Mental health crisis

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call NHS 111 and press Option 2 for 24-hour mental health advice and support. Information and contact details are available at nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth

Mental health tips and support

You can find information and tips on keeping mentally healthy at nhs.uk/every-mind-matters

Speak to your GP practice about NHS Talking Therapies if you are anxious, depressed or struggling to cope. They can help you – physically and mentally – and can refer you to the right service. You can also self-refer by visiting: nhs.uk/talk

If you live with serious mental illness, you are entitled to a free NHS annual health check – talk to your GP, key worker or mental health service to book it.

Local information

Information from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services locally, is available at Getting help :: Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Around 80% of all care in the UK is self care. Staying active, keeping check of regular medication and knowing how to treat common illnesses yourself can help to prevent health and wellbeing issues getting to the point of needing medical assistance, which hugely helps the NHS when it is under pressure. 

The majority of people feel comfortable managing everyday minor ailments like coughs and colds themselves, particularly when they feel confident in recognising the symptoms and have successfully used over-the-counter medicine before. 

Knowing what to do and where to go for help is an important part of practising self care for life.  It isn’t just the GP practice that can help, pharmacies are also health experts, and they are on every high street.  Pharmacists can help with all sorts of ailments, and they will also signpost you to the right place for additional health advice or treatment if you need it. Find your local pharmacy here: Pharmacies - NHS

When a child is unwell it can be worrying, and you may need advice on what to do if you can’t get to a pharmacy. The Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Symptom Checker can provide information when you need it - Symptom checker - Alder Hey Children's Hospital Trust     

One way to take good care of yourself is to ensure you don’t run out of your regular medication. You can order repeat prescriptions through the NHS App, online service or your GP practice.

More information about how to treat many common conditions at home can be found on the national NHS website: www.nhs.uk/conditions

Pharmacy First gives patients quick, easy access to support for common conditions through their high street pharmacy. 

It includes the supply of appropriate medicines for seven common conditions, aiming to address health issues before they get worse. The conditions are:

• sinusitis
• sore throat
• earache for ages over 1yr – 17yrs
• infected insect bite
• impetigo
• shingles 

If someone goes to a pharmacy with one of the seven conditions, the pharmacist will offer advice, treatment or refer them to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed. 

People aged 40 and over can also get their blood pressure checked for free at local pharmacies. This can lower their risk of a fatal heart attack, stroke, kidney disease or vascular dementia. 

For more information about how pharmacies can help, click here.

Is your medicine cabinet well stocked? Over-the-counter medicines (including paracetamol and ibuprofen) can help you tackle many minor illnesses at home. You can ask your pharmacist what should be in your cabinet. For more information, click here.

The NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet. More information is available at nhs.uk/nhsapp

Millions of people are now using the app to manage their health the easy way, from ordering a repeat prescription to checking their records.

If you are over the age of 16 you can see your consultation notes, letters and test results. Accessing your GP health record on the NHS App can help you better understand and manage your condition, without having to phone your GP surgery.

The app also allows you to nominate your preferred pharmacy.

You can download it on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or Apple App store. 

Start using the app today. Find out more at nhs.uk/nhsapp

Cheshire East Council's Live Well information is available here: Live Well Cheshire East

Cheshire West and Chester Council's Live Well information is available here: Home | Live Well Cheshire West