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Whatever the problem this summer, when you need medical care there’s only one number to remember. Get straight to the help you need. Just think 111 first. Contact the NHS 111 service by phone or online www.111.nhs.uk

The benefits of using 111 online or calling NHS 111 first are:

• you will get to speak with a senior clinician earlier
• if you do need an urgent face-to-face appointment, this can be arranged there and then, without any further delay. They will know exactly where to go, and when. This will help reduce waiting times
• by advising you where and when to go we can control queues/crowding
• you are more likely to get the right treatment, first time
• you should be seen quickly when you arrive for your appointment
• you are more likely to get care closer to home

 

Pharmacies

Pharmacies advice and treat a range of symptoms. This can avoid unnecessary trips to your GP or A&E department, and save time. No appointment is needed and most pharmacies have private consulting areas.

Pharmacies can help you with symptoms like diarrhoea, earache, painful cough, sticky eye, teething and rashes.

Is your child unwell? The HANDi Paediatric app gives up-to-date advice about common childhood illnesses and how to treat them.

Developed by NHS organisations in Devon, the HANDi Paediatric app is available to download for free onto any Apple or Android smartphone or tablet.

The app has been designed to help reduce the number of children and young people who visit A&E, but need no treatment.

Advice for common childhood conditions

The app has been developed by paediatric consultants and provides access to home care plans, as well as GP and hospital clinical guidelines, for the most common childhood health care conditions:

• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• ‘Chesty baby’ illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and croup
• ‘Chesty child’ illnesses, such as wheezing and asthma
• High temperature
• Abdominal pain
• Common newborn problems

Giving parents more confidence in dealing with minor conditions

The app contains information about when and how to ask for help, along with what to expect when your child is being assessed.

Parents generally don’t want to take their children to A&E unless it’s absolutely necessary – but often they end up there because they are not sure what else to do.

This app gives parents more confidence in dealing with minor conditions at home.

Parents answer a series of questions about the symptoms their child is experiencing. The app then advises on the best course of action, whether that’s to treat at home, to make a GP appointment, or to head to A&E.

Download the app for Apple and Android devices

• Download the app for Apple devices
• Download the app for Android devices