WITH schools breaking up and the Spring bank holiday weekend fast approaching the North West’s leading doctor has set out the best way of accessing NHS services over the bank holiday, including simple steps parents can take to keep their children healthy and treat common illnesses and injuries over half term.

During the bank holiday weekend across the North West, health services are likely to be under pressure, with accident and emergency departments and NHS 111 phone service expected to be busy. As a result, Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Medical Director for NHS England in the North West wants to help the public know the best way to access care during this time.

Dr Gregory said: “Over the bank holiday weekend services are expected to by busy, and NHS staff will be working extremely hard to ensure people get timely care and treatment they need. NHS 111 online works in the same way as the 111 phone service and is already popular with people who want quick advice about the best options for getting the care they need. 

“This can include getting a call back from a trained health professional, booking them an appointment if required, or providing advice.  NHS 111 online can help support anyone over the age of five, if parents need support for children and babies under five, please call 111.”

Local community pharmacies can also offer advice and treatment for minor health concerns, including for children.  No appointment is needed, and they offer consultations in a private room with a highly qualified health professional. They can also provide some prescription medicines for seven common conditions* if appropriate, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription, helping to avoid unnecessary trips to A&E.

Dr Gregory added: “When children become ill or have a minor accident it can be worrying for their parents or carers. In the school holidays, there are more chances for children to get involved in minor scrapes or sporting injuries, but there are a variety of NHS services that can offer health advice to parents, without the need for an A&E visit.  Community pharmacy services are offered close to home, with 80% of people estimated to be within a 20 minute walk of a pharmacy.”

“Pharmacists have the right clinical training to make sure you get the help you need and can also make a referral to your general practice team, A&E or other relevant local service, where necessary.”

Paul Johnston, Integrated Contact Centre Service Delivery Manager said: “Bank Holidays are always the busiest time for NHS 111 contact centres. Even though we make sure we have more staff on duty, wait times can be longer.

“When you go online, you’ll be asked a series of questions about your main symptom. The more questions there are, the less serious it’s likely to be. 111 online has about 120 topics covering the most common symptoms. It can only triage one symptom at a time. If you have multiple symptoms, pick the one that is bothering you most. You will not get a diagnosis but find out what help you need.”

Top tips for parents to help their children stay well:

• Encourage regular physical activity and outdoor play to boost overall health.
• Rember to keep up with drinks to stay hydrated and when necessary, use sun cream and hats on sunny days.
• Book regular check-ups, including with the dentist and optician.
• Keep up to date with vaccinations.
• Maintain a healthy diet and sleep routine which will support the immune system.
• For more information, visit NHS website.
• Coughs and colds are usually mild and can be managed with rest and fluids.
• A raised temperature is natural response to infection, use children’s paracetamol or ibuprofen as needed.
• If a child under 3 months has a temperature over 38°C, or if a child over 3 months has a temperature above 39°C, seek medical advice. Your GP can help or NHS 111 when the GP is closed.
• Sore throats are often viral and can be soothed with warm drinks and honey (for children over one year old).
• Ear discomfort, usually following coughs and colds, often clears up on its own and can be relieved with painkillers.
• If a child has an upset stomach, make sure they drink plenty of water and encourage regular handwashing to prevent germs spreading.
• Scrapes and grazes cleaning the wound and covering it with a plaster or dressing. This will help stop it getting infected.
• For further advice and information, visit Alder Hey NHS Trust children’s symptoms checker Symptom checker – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Trust

NOTES TO EDITORS:

• *The conditions covered by Pharmacy Frist include:
  • earache (for those aged between 1 and 17)
  • impetigo (for those 1 year and over)
  • infected insect bites (for those 1 year and over)
  • shingles ( for those over 18 years old)
  • sinusitis (for those aged 12 years and over)
  • sore throat (for those aged 5 years and over)
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) (for women aged 16-64 years)
• You can find your nearest pharmacy by going to find your pharmacy.
• NHS 111 online is not available for children under 5. People looking for urgent medical help for under 5s should use the 111-phone line.
• Over the bank holiday weekend urgent and emergency care services will be open as normal.  The public should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency.
• For non-emergency health advice, people can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk, which offers the same help and advice as the telephone service. If you cannot access 111 online, please call 111
  111.nhs.uk can help you with:

1. where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do
2. how to find general health information and advice
3. where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
4. how to get a repeat prescription
5. getting emergency dental appointments

• You should still ring 999 if you or someone else experience:

1. signs of a heart attack like pain like a heavy weight in the centre of your chest
2. signs of stroke such as your face dropping on one side
3. difficulty breathing
4. heavy bleeding that won’t stop
5. seizures
6. or sudden and rapid swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, or tongue