A message from the health service in Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust wants to ensure that the public are aware of what to do if they are ill or require medication when their GP Practice is closed.
Get the right treatment
Be prepared - Self help and the pharmacy
A well-stocked medical cabinet will help you treat many everyday illnesses at home. A visit to the pharmacist is excellent for expert advice on all kinds of common complaints like sprains, colds, stomach upsets and diarrhoea. You don’t need an appointment and they can advise you on over the counter medicines. With GP surgeries closed on bank holidays, some evenings and some / all of the weekend, remember also to order your repeat prescriptions in good time.
Visit www.buckspct.nhs.uk to find out which pharmacy in your area will be open.
NHS Direct
If you need advice quickly for you or a child, or medical help within the next few hours call NHS Direct. They will assess medical needs and tell you what to do next. Call day or night on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk. The website has a symptom checker for common conditions and can help you locate your closest NHS services.
Out of hours GP cover
For problems that cannot wait until your GP surgery opens and cannot be dealt with by your pharmacist or NHS Direct, there is an out of hours service available from Buckinghamshire Urgent Care.
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE URGENT CARE CAN BE CONTACTED ON 0300 130 3035
Be protected - Contraception
Make sure you have supplies of your usual contraception, and condoms. If you should need emergency contraception (which can be used up to 72 hours after the unprotected episode), it is available from some pharmacies (see www.buckspct.nhs.uk for opening times), your GP or the out-of-hours primary care service (call your GP practice and listen to the answer machine message for contact details).
Be responsible - Alcohol
For most adults, enjoying a drink is part of their normal lifestyle, especially during a holiday. However, it’s very important we look after our health and well-being. Drinking more than the recommended daily allowance will have negative and sometimes serious effects on your health. We can lose our inhibitions as well as the ability to make reasonable decisions.
It is possible to drink and enjoy a night out, but remember the NHS recommended guidelines. Men should drink no more than 3-4 units a day, women 2-3 units and pregnant women should avoid alcohol altogether. If you’re planning to drive, don’t drink at all.
Dental problems
If you are experiencing severe dental problems outside normal surgery hours call the out of hours dental care helpline on 0845 602 0703, they will tell you what to do next.
Serious accidents, emergencies and dialling 999
There is a 24/7 accident and emergency department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. This provides a service for all emergency serious and life-threatening conditions. In addition, there is an emergency medical centre at Wycombe Hospital providing care for people with suspected heart attacks or stroke, severe chest pain, respiratory problems, overdoses/poisoning as well as minor injuries like sprains and strains, cuts and fractures.
Please only use A&E, the Emergency Medical Centre or 999 for emergencies - considering all the other options first. By using the correct service for your problems you can take the pressure off emergency services in particular, shorten waiting times, and help us to help you.