Feeling under the weather? Seek help or advice as early as possible

‘The earlier, the better’. That is the message behind a new NHS England campaign which began on Monday 20 January 2014, running for eight weeks and coming to an end in March.

The aims behind the campaign are to encourage people not to let health problems linger, and in particularly to urge those caring for or visiting an elderly relative to seek help or advice from their local pharmacist, or alternatively visit www.nhs.uk/asap should the person being cared for begin to feel under the weather. Basically, the earlier on something is spotted and treated, the less likelihood of it developing into a more serious health concern.

It is hoped that with more knowledge and awareness of services outside of Accident & Emergency (A&E), public behaviour can be improved, health problems can be treated at the earliest chance and an unnecessary hospital visit can be averted.

This follows the publication of Sir Bruce Keogh’s report in November 2013 into NHS England review into urgent and emergency care which highlighted the need for a more responsive and personal care for patients outside of hospital, as well as the delivery of even better clinical outcomes and enhanced safety, and how important it is to raise public understand of alternatives to A&E. For instance, minor ailments could be treated with a simple visit to the local community pharmacy service.

The main worry, which is partly the reason behind the campaign, is an alarming increase in the number of older and frail people who require hospital treatment due to a respiratory or other chronic condition. These are made worse through the winter months especially with the cold, immobility and viral illnesses.

To help support the initiative, there will be posters on display in bus stops, shopping centres and supermarkets, including sites near pharmacies. On top of this, adverts will be running in national newspapers, on radio, and in a number of magazines and websites, with pharmacies receiving posters to have on display. You can also get involved via social media through @NHS Choices (www.twitter.com/NHSChoices) with the hashtag #earlierbetter.

Clare Howard, Deputy Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, said: “Pharmacists and their teams are well trained and well placed to be able to offer advice to people seeking help. They can provide medicines’ advice and support for minor ailments, advise you about how to manage a long
term condition and tell you if something needs more urgent medical attention from your GP, or even your local hospital. Many members of the public already use their Pharmacist in these ways. More people could seek help from their Pharmacist when they first have a problem rather than waiting until it becomes more serious, or having to go to hospital when the problem could have been managed earlier.”

Patients within the local area of Medical Specialists Pharmacy; Bury, Greater Manchester, can refer to the list compiled by the NHS England Greater Manchester Area Team for help with the most appropriate source or service.

This is as follows:

	Contact No.	Locality	Address
NHS 111 24 hours a day _____ Patients who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired can use a text phone to access this service or phone NHS Direct service.	111 ____ 18001 111 0845 606 46 47	National
Patient Complaints & Queries NHS England	0300 311 22 33	Leeds
NHS Choices; The online 'front door' to the NHS. It is the country's biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health.			http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
A & E Departments
Fairfield General Hospital	0161 764 6081		Rochdale Old Road Bury Lancashire BL9 7TD
GP Urgent Care/Walk-in Centres
Bardoc Open: 18:00 – 8:00am When GP surgeries are closed	0161 763 4242	Bury	Moorgate Primary Care Centre 22 Derby Way Bury BL9 0NJ
Bury Urgent Treatment Centre No appointment necessary - call in. An alternative choice for anyone who is suffering from an ailment, illness or injury that needs assessing quickly. If you can’t get a same day appointment at your own GP practice, but your condition isn’t serious enough to require a visit to A&E Open: 18:00 – 8:00am			Moorgate Primary Care Centre 1st Floor 22 Derby Way Bury BL9 0NJ
Dental Helpline
In Hours Urgent Care           (08:00 – 18:00)	0161 447 9898	Bury
Out of Hours Urgent Care           (18:30 – 8:00am)	0161 763 8941	Bury
Bury CCG
	0161 762 3100		21 Silver Street Bury BL9 0EN
Bury Local Authority
Health &Wellbeing Board	0161 253 5000		Bury Town Hall Knowsley St Bury Lancashire