Don’t wait until Monday- get healthcare support over the weekend

In a continued effort to help residents access the right healthcare advice and treatment when they need it the local NHS is sharing information about all the services that can help them during evenings and weekends when GP practices and other routine services are closed.

Professor Damian Roland, Urgent and Emergency Care System Clinical Director, in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: “We routinely see more patients on a Monday in our emergency department (ED) at Leicester Royal Infirmary, over the last year there were 2,282 more patients attending ED on a Monday than any other weekday and 8,929 more patients attending ED than there were on Sundays across the year. We want to reassure patients that if they need medical assistance, they don’t need to wait until Monday, medical assistance and guidance is available seven days a week and importantly over the weekends.”

In LLR there are a range of services available for patients who need healthcare support over the weekend and out of hours:

• NHS 111 – If you need help urgently and it isn’t life threatening, please use the NHS111 service to be directed to care in the right place for your medical problem. NHS111 can help 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can either call 111 or use NHS111 online. Both options will ensure that you are assessed and, if you need to be seen, an appointment can be arranged at a local service, such as an urgent care or urgent treatment centre.
• The NHS App or website – the App gives you a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services. Download the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet via the Google play or App store. The NHS App and website enables patients to answer questions and get instant advice or medical help near you and to search trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments. It can also help patients to find NHS services near where they live.
• Community Pharmacies – Your local pharmacy, or chemist, isn’t just the place where you pick up your prescribed medicines. Pharmacists are qualified health professionals and are the right people to see if you need health advice or over-the-counter medicines. They are trained in dealing with many illnesses, they can check your symptoms and recommend the best treatment.
• Urgent care services There are 13 urgent care locations in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. In most services walk in capacity is available, but it is advisable to use NHS111 to ensure you are guided to the most appropriate service with a confirmed appointment time or arrival time slot. If it’s not life threatening, but you need to be seen quickly. Book an appointment by calling 111 or visiting NHS 111 online.
• Dental problems – NHS 111 online and telephone service can help direct you to the right dental treatment our-of-hours. This might mean finding a dentist, or an emergency dentist if there is availability in your area.
• Mental health and wellbeing – 24/7 mental health support is available over the phone, call NHS 111, selecting option 2 for mental health. This number is open 24 hours a day and is totally free and confidential.
• Call 999 if there is a threat to life.

Professor Roland concludes, “During winter there are greater demands across all NHS services so it’s important to ensure that patients get the care they need, in the right place at the right time. Delaying treatment isn’t advisable, when you feel unwell or need medical guidance start by contacting NHS111 especially if it’s over the weekend. By seeking medical assistance as soon as symptoms or an accident occurs, we can ensure you get the most appropriate treatment in the most suitable setting. By utilising all our NHS services effectively, we can help to keep the emergency department clear to help treat those that require life-saving treatment.”

For more information about the services available over the weekend, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/get-in-the-know/