With the bank holiday approaching, we want to help make sure you know about the local health services here to help you over the long weekend.
With unprecedented numbers of patients attending emergency departments (A&E), it is really important to know about the range of health services available over the weekend.
If you are feeling ill or have recently had diarrhoea or vomiting, it is really important that you do not visit the hospital until you are at least 72 hours free of symptoms.
If you need to see a GP or nurse, appointments are available every day of the week, including weekends and bank holidays see here for details. These appointments will either be at one of the GP hubs near to where you live.
You can book an appointment through your GP practice when they are open or if it is urgent by phoning NHS 111 when your GP practice is closed.
Pharmacists are also experts on minor illnesses and injuries and are a great first point of call. Many pharmacies in the city are open in the evenings and on weekends and have private consultation rooms.
Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet can help you deal with any minor illnesses and injuries. A pharmacist can let you know about the medicines to keep at home and advice on many common illnesses and injuries is also available at www.nhs.uk/staywell.
The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at the Royal South Hants Hospital (RSH), Lymington Hospital and Andover War Memorial Hospital offers treatment, advice and information on a range of minor injuries, led by a team of skilled nurses.
You don’t need an appointment – just turn up. The MIU is open weekdays, weekends and bank holidays.
If you do become unwell and aren’t sure where to go, phone 111 or visit NHS 111 online. The NHS 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phoning 111 is free and the team can find the right local service for you. They can help you with an out of hours GP appointment, emergency dentist, let you know about a local pharmacy open near you, details of the Minor Injuries Unit or even send an emergency ambulance if necessary. The team at 111 is made up of fully trained call handlers, supported by a range of experienced clinicians including GPs, nurses and paramedics.
More information can be found on the University Hospital Southampton, Hampshire Hospitals, NHS Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group, North Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group websites.