A & E – real emergencies only
Get the right treatment, at the right place and at the right time
There are a whole range of options available to you where you can receive emergency care or treatment.
One in three people who visit A&E could receive treatment more appropriately elsewhere.
Limiting the spread of norovirus infection
Norovirus, which is very common at this time of year, is currently causing isolated cases and outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea in the community.
To limit the spread of Norovirus the PCT is stressing that people with the virus should do all they can to avoid bringing it into GP surgeries, hospitals and residential care homes.
The Norovirus causes an unpleasant but generally short-lived illness that usually lasts about three days. People can feel quite poorly whilst they are ill, but there is no specific treatment other than rest and lots of drinks to replace lost fluids. People who are otherwise fit and healthy will make a full recovery without any medical intervention.
It is therefore unnecessary for people with Norovirus infection to visit GP surgeries or hospital Accident and Emergency departments. If the symptoms persist, or seem to be getting worse, patients should phone NHS Direct, or ask for a telephone consultation with their GP.
We also strongly advise people with the infection not to visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes and they stay away from work or school until they have been symptom free for at least 48 hours. Norovirus is highly infectious and it can spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospitals, residential care homes and schools.
Good hygiene is the key to avoiding the infection and preventing spread where it has occurred. Thorough hand washing after using the toilet, before and after handling or preparing food and before eating is especially important.
The typical symptoms are projectile vomiting and diarrhoea following the sudden onset of nausea. Illness can last from 12 hours to three days.
Norovirus affects people of all ages. Most people recover very quickly but immunity to the virus is short-lived and infection is easily transmitted from one person to another.
NHS Direct – on 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk – is available 24 hours a day to give confidential advice and information on what to do if you, or a member of your family, are ill.
Other tips for staying healthy and getting the right treatment if you need it
- Self care is important - make sure you have cold and flu medications in the house, as well as other basic first aid supplies such as painkillers, plasters, bandages and anti-diarrhoea medication. When
stocking up with flu remedies, check first with your GP or pharmacist if you are on other medication to make sure the medicines are right for you.
- Check on elderly relatives or neighbours living alone.
- Wash your hands regularly. Correct respiratory and hand hygiene (RHH) practice is one of the most effective actions the public can take to protect themselves and others from infection and the spread of germs that can lead to cold, flu and other illnesses.
Minor Injury Units – 24 hour care within your local area
Your local Minor Injury Unit (MIU) can treat a wide variety of problems. These include cuts and grazes, dog bites, sprains and strains, minor head injuries and minor burns and emergency contraception.
If you have a minor illness like a cold or flu, ear ache, sore throat, a rash or urine infection – your MIU can help.
MIUs are located in:
- Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, Trent Valley Road Lichfield, WS13 6EF.
Tel: 01543 41 29 00 – open 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Sir Robert Peel Community Hospital, Plantation Lane, Mile Oak, Tamworth, B78 3NG.
Tel: 01827 26 38 00 – open 24 hours a days, 7 days a week
- Cannock Chase Hospital, Brunswick Road, Cannock, WS11 5XY.
Tel: 01543 57 27 57 – open 8.00 a.m. until midnight, 7 days a week
The car parking is free of charge at Sir Robert Peel, however parking charges apply at the other two hospitals shown above.
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Your GP in and Out of Hours including extended opening
A high percentage our GPs have been offering extended opening hours for some time, details of which can be found by Click Here  (90k)
By contacting your GP and taking advantage of the extended hours, this will help to keep A&E departments free to deal with real emergency cases.
Your own GP surgery can deal with your illnesses including chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma as well as general care for patients who are terminally ill.
They also operate a GP out-of-hours Service between 6.30 p.m. and
8.00 a.m. every evening including weekends and bank holidays.
If you call your GP out-of-hours service needing urgent medical advice or assistance your call will be answered by or diverted to a specially trained professional who will assess you and offer a range of health support.
Or you can call the GP Out-of-Hours Service directly on 0300 1 30 30 30.
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Try your local pharmacist for professional advice for all your health needs
Your local pharmacy isn’t just there to dispense your prescription and sell you a box of paracetamol tablets. They can provide a whole of range of services including free advice, support and guidance on all your health problems.
Remedies for an upset stomach, diarrhoea, sickness and vomiting; sports injuries, aches and pains including muscle pains and general first aid are all things that your pharmacist can support you with
You will be able to discuss your symptoms, in most cases, in the comfort of a private consultation room.
Pharmacists also work in partnership with local charities such as Diabetes UK, the Blood Pressure Association and the British Heart Foundation and offer shoppers free diabetes testing and blood pressure ‘MOT’ tests.
Many pharmacies are open late into the evening and available Saturday and Sunday, particularly the ones that are based in supermarkets.
Check the opening times of your local pharmacist via NHS Direct on 08 45 46 47 on visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or see your local press for details.
Avoid a crisis, be prepared and buy essentials now. A pharmacist can advise you on a well-stocked medicine cabinet
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NHS Direct 08 45 46 47
NHS Direct operates a 24-hour health advice and information service, providing confidential information on:
- What to do if you or your family are feeling ill
- Local healthcare services, such as doctors, dentists or late night opening pharmacies
- Self help and support organisations
NHS Direct online – www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk is a website providing high quality health information and advice. It is unique in being supported by a 24-hour nurse advice and information helpline.
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Social Care
In an emergency, high risk situation outside of office hours (8.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Friday) please call 0845 604 2886
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Dental Access Centres
They provide emergency treatment and are available to everyone even if they are not registered with a dental practice.
Please call to make an emergency appointment:
- Stoneydelph Health Centre, Ellerbeck, Stonydelph, Tamworth
B77 4JA
Tel: 01827 893386
- Balance Street Health Centre, Balance Street, Uttoxeter
ST14 8JG
Tel: 01889 562377
- Central Clinic, North Walls, Stafford, ST16 3AE
Tel: 01785 223646
- Dental Department, Cannock Chase Hospital, Brunswick Road, Cannock, WS11 2XY
Tel: 01543 576210
- Dental Department, Cross Street, Burton upon Trent, DE14 1EG
Tel: 01283 505810
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First Aid - the basics
Consider keeping first aid kits in your home and in your car. Your collection of first aid supplies and equipment may include bandages for controlling bleeding, vinyl gloves (to protect both yourself and the casualty), sterile dressings and plasters.
Here is some basic first aid advice:
Sprains and strains
It is recommended you follow the RICE procedure if you think the casualty has a sprain or strain:
R: |
rest |
I: |
ice |
C: |
compress |
E: |
elevate |
Apply a cold compress for 10 minutes, reassess the injury, then reapply. If after 30 minutes the swelling has started to go down, advise the person to rest the affected limb.
If the swelling doesn't go down, it could be a break and you should seek medical advice – your GP or MIU can help.
Cuts and grazes
Wash and dry your own hands. Cover any cuts on your own hands and put on disposable gloves.
Clean the cut under running water if it's dirty. Pat dry with a sterile dressing or clean, lint-free material. If possible, raise the affected area above the heart.
Cover the cut temporarily while you clean the surrounding skin with soap and water and pat the surrounding skin dry. Cover the cut completely with a sterile dressing or plaster.
The St John Ambulance and British Red Cross organisations offer guidance on what to do in a variety of first aid situations please visit www.redcross.org.uk and www.sja.org.uk for further information.
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What is Influenza (flu)?
Seasonal flu usually occurs during winter months. It is more serious than a cold and the symptoms are high temperatures, headaches and muscle pains.
People with chronic conditions (eg, asthma) and older people are most at risk of developing complications if they catch flu. This is why the seasonal flu vaccine is recommended to these groups within the community.
In 2009 a pandemic was declared due to an outbreak of the Swine Flu Virus.
Swine Flu is a respiratory disease and because it’s a new virus, no one has immunity to it yet and everyone could be at risk of catching it. This includes healthy adults as well as older people, young children and those with existing medical conditions.
If you develop flu-like symptoms (including high temperature, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, joint/limb pains, diarrhoea or vomiting) then you should stay at home and not visit your GP or A&E Department.
Check your symptoms first online at www.pandemicflu.direct.gov.uk or by phoning 0800 1513 100. for Swine Flu information call 0800 1513 513 to hear the latest advice.
To reduce the risk of spreading the virus follow the simple steps below:
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