Choose Well and be prepared
Patients are urged to consider the full range of NHS services available to them.
Advice about self care and details of local health services are available via this website, or by visiting the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk Advice and information about a range of common health complaints, including how long symptoms may last and how to relieve them is also available via the NHS Choices website.
Many common complaints, such as coughs, colds and flu like symptoms, back-ache, minor sports injuries and upset stomachs can be treated by having a well stocked medicine cabinet.
Just having a few basic essentials at home can help to treat the symptoms of many common illnesses and injuries. Patients can also get advice from NHS 111 www.nhs.uk/111/ or by accessing one of the range of services available in Bury, including local community pharmacies, a patient’s own GP practice and Prestwich Walk-in Centre. For patients that need treating today, but can’t get an appointment with their own GP practice, they can get fast access at Bury Urgent Treatment Centre. By choosing the right NHS service patients will get the best treatment in the shortest possible time.
By choosing and using the right services, patients can expect to be seen or treated more quickly, whilst keeping emergency services free for those patients who need them most. Choosing the right service also helps to make sure that the limited NHS resources available to Bury are being spent wisely.
By choosing the right NHS service patients will get the best treatment in the shortest possible time:
- Self care – treat very minor illnesses, ailments and injuries at home
- NHS Choices – online advice and information www.nhs.uk
- NHS 111 – You can call 111 when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast and easy way to get the right help, whatever the time. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - you can also visit www.nhs.uk/111/ for more information about NHS 111
- Pharmacy – expert advice and treatment for a range of common health problems
- GP – make your GP practice your first port of call for advice, guidance and treatment
- Bury Urgent Treatment Centre – if you need treating today, this doctor-led service is open every day from 8am to 10pm, no appointment needed. The service offers an alternative choice for anyone who can’t get a same day appointment at their own GP practice, when they are suffering from an ailment, illness or injury that needs assessing quickly, but isn’t serious enough to require a visit to A&E. First floor Moorgate Primary Care Centre, 22 Derby Way, Bury, BL9 0NJ.
- Prestwich Walk-in Centre – a nurse-led service open every day from 8am until 8pm, no appointment needed. The Walk-in Centre offers treatment for a range of minor ailments and illnesses, including medication if appropriate. Fairfax Road, Prestwich, M25 1BT.
- A&E/999 – A&E departments and the 999 ambulance service should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.