Your Guide to Choosing Well @ChooseWellWales
Your Guide to Choosing Well
@ChooseWellWales
Think carefully before dialling 999 or going straight to the Emergency
Department (A&E)
Inappropriate 999 calls:
• clog up the emergency care system
• increase demand on hospitals &
• affect the time it takes to get to very sick people.
Emergency Department (A&E) or 999
Minor Injury Services
GP or Out of Hours Services
Eye Care or Dentists
Pharmacists
Sexual Health Services
NHS Direct Wales
Self Care
Which NHS services are available to me?
Self Care
Best option for:
• Coughs, colds,
• Sore-throats
• Upset stomachs
• General aches and pains
Why?
• Cost & convenience
• Condition improves
without medical help
NHS Direct Wales
Best option for:
• Expert advice when unsure
• Checking symptoms
•Advice on self-care options
•Local service finder
Why?
• Free convenient expert
advice & information
• Condition improves without
medical help
-----------------------------
NHS Direct – 0845 46 47http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/
Sexual Health Services
Best option for:
•STI Testing & Treatment
•Free Pregnancy Test
•Emergency Contraception
•HIV Advice & Support
Why?
•Free Confidential Advice & Support
•Diagnosis & Treatment
•Highly Skilled Specialist Staff
Pharmacists
Best option for:
•Face-to-face advice & information
•Common winter health complaints
•Advice and support for on-going health complaints
Why?
•Local high street expert
•Convenience
•No appointment needed
•Private consultation rooms
GP or Out of Hours
Best option for:
•An illness or injury that won’t go away or is getting worse
•Help with health life-style e.g smoking cessation, weight loss
•An out-of-hours service at weekends and evenings
Why?
•Experts on a range of health conditions
•On-going treatment and support for long term conditions
Minor Injury Services
Best option for:
Something that needs urgent attention but is not a life-threatening emergency
For example:
•Infections•Rashes•Fractures•Lacerations
Why?
•Open 7 days a week
•No appointment needed
•Access to services such as X-Rays and stiches
•Treated much quicker than A&E because A&E gives priority to life-threatening conditions
Emergency Department (A&E)
Best option for:
ONLY for life-threatening and serious emergencies, such as:
•Serious accidents•Serious burns•Breathing problems•Heart-attacks•Strokes
Why?
•No appointment needed but may wait for up to four hours
•Access to trauma and major trauma services
Some medicine cabinet essentials
• Honey and lemon – for sore throats and coughs
• Paracetamol and ibuprofen – pain-relief and to bring down temperature
• Thermometer – normal temperature for an adult is 37 degrees Celsius; a fever in an adult is 38 degrees and above and children over five 37.5 degrees
• Re-hydration mixtures and indigestion remedies – to help with an upset stomach
ALWAYS read instructions for any medicine
NEVER take more than the recommended dose
TALK to your high-street pharmacist if you need advice
CALL your GP if symptoms suddenly get worse or condition suddenly deteriorates
REMEMBER antibiotics will not cure a cold, flu or upset stomach
Prevention is better than cure
• Good respiratory and hand hygiene prevents the spread of germs
• Clean hard surfaces
• Restrict visits to vulnerable friends, neighbours and relatives until you have been symptom free for at least 3 days
• Have the flu jab if you are a carer or in an at risk group
Choose Well Resources
To download your FREE Choose Well app and to download a range of Choose Well posters and
leaflets visit:
www.choosewellwales.org.uk