The NHS is set to be busy this Easter so the advice is: “Be prepared, plan ahead and use the most appropriate health services.”
That’s the message from University Hospital Birmingham, which said emergency services remain open for life-threatening situations – but advised that for most minor illnesses or urgent questions, quicker help is available via NHS 111 and local pharmacies.
Professor Kiran Patel, Chief Medical Officer, said: “NHS services are here to help, but it’s important that people know where to turn to get the right care quickly.
“Over Easter, your local pharmacy and NHS 111 can provide fast, expert advice often without the need for a hospital visit. Please help us keep A&E for the most serious emergencies.”
Many pharmacies will be open across the holiday weekend and are a great option for things like coughs, colds and eye infections as well as urinary tract infections, sinusitis, skin infections and sore throats.
Here is a list of pharmacies: https://www.birminghamsolihull.icb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/news/pharmacy-opening-times-easter-bank-holiday
For more urgent medical concerns, NHS 111 is available 24/7 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling NHS 111. Trained advisors and clinicians can direct patients to the right service, including local urgent treatment centres or out-of-hours GP support.
And just to be sure, here are some handy tips from UHB:
- Order their prescriptions from their GP practice in good time
- Check which local pharmacies are open
- Use NHS 111 for urgent care needs
- Only use A&E for life-threatening emergencies
