Chesterfield Royal Hospital: 'Think which service' you need if you're ill over the bank holiday
Employees at the Royal insist they'll have enough staff to cope with demand over the next few days
This weekend, as a Bank Holiday approaches, Chesterfield Royal Hospital are asking their local community to think which service they really need if they are poorly over the next few days.
Going into the weekend, please make sure your medical cabinet is stocked up with items that you may need for minor injuries and mild coughs and colds; paracetamol and ibuprofen, plasters and antibacterial lotion for minor cuts, and cough syrup and sunscreen just in case you may need it.
Your local Pharmacist or GP would be a good place to start for minor health concerns, prescriptions and clinical advice. They will also be able to refer you to other health services, as would the 111 service where you can speak to a health expert about your condition and where to get the best help for your needs.
Depending on the situation, the NHS 111 team can connect you to a nurse, emergency dentist, or even a GP, and can arrange a face-to-face appointment if they think you need one. They can also assess if you need an ambulance and send one immediately, if necessary. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached by calling 111, free from landlines and mobiles – or use NHS 111 online.
Local Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC’s) may be further away but typically experience waits of less than an hour. There you will be seen quickly for sprains, strains, suspected broken bones (including x-ray and diagnostic services) and skin infections, as well as minor head injuries or cuts that clearly require more than just a plaster. They’re open 8am-8pm.
If you are visiting the hospital this weekend, retail and café outlets opening times may be changed – and you may wish to visit stagecoachbus.com for bus timetables if you normally travel by bus.