Getting the most out of the NHS

By Dr Julie Taylor

DR JULIE TAYLOR IS A GP PARTNER AT THE ORCHARD PRACTICE DARTFORD, CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF DARTFORD MODEL PCN AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE DARTFORD, SWANLEY AND GRAVESHAM INTEGRATED CARE PARTNERSHIP.

There are lots of different ways to access health care and it can be a bit of a maze to work out the best route to get the help you need.

NHS 111 NHS 111 is available as a telephone service and online (111.nhs.uk). It can help when you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do. They can advise you on self-care or what local service can help you. 111 is supported by a clinical assessment service, whose clinicians can provide a more in depth review and advice. 111 can book you to be reviewed by a local pharmacist, your GP or an urgent treatment centre.

Pharmacies Did you know that your local pharmacy is a great source of advice for minor ailments? Pharmacists train for 5 years in the use of medicines, managing minor illnesses and providing health and wellbeing advice. They are qualified healthcare professionals and can offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it might be more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need and will direct you to your GP surgery, urgent care centre or A&E. Pharmacists can also help you with medicines related queries, such as inhaler techniques, how to take a medicine safely and any queries you might have about prescribed medication or. Pharmacists are easy to access – many are open late at night and at the weekend and you do not need an appointment. Most pharmacies have a private consultation room so you don’t need to worry about being over heard. Some offer additional services, such as travel clinics, other vaccinations, blood pressure checks and even ear syringing/ microsuction. Please check with your local pharmacy to see how they can help you.

General Practice General practice teams are now much broader than just your GP and practice nurse. They may include other health professionals such as paramedics, clinical pharmacists, physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, health and wellbeing coaches, care coordinators, social prescribers, podiatrists and mental health workers. To get you to the right person first time, you may be asked to give more information about the problem you are contacting the surgery with. Your GP may not be the best person to help you.

All GP surgeries are open and have been throughout the pandemic. However, because of the infection control measures from Public Health England that we have to work under, we cannot see all patients face to face. We use telephone, video and online consultations as a first contact to help decide who needs to be seen and how quickly. Because the opportunities to bring patients in for face to face appointments are limited due to social distancing and the need to protect vulnerable patients from COVID, we need to make best use of these appointments.

Urgent Care Centres You can go to an Urgent Care Centre if you need urgent medical attention but it is not a life threatening situation. Please use these centres where appropriate rather than the Emergency Department, to minimise the impact on emergency care and the hospitals. 111 can advise if you need to attend UTC and book you into a slot, to minimise the wait. There are a number of Urgent Care Centres in the Dartford area: Gravesham Community Hospital – open 8am-8pm Erith District Hospital – open 8am10pm Queen Mary’s Hospital – open 24 hours

Emergency Department (A&E) The Emergency Department should be used for those patients needing only urgent medical attention and treatment, who have genuine lifethreatening emergencies, such as:

Loss of consciousness Acute confused state and fits that aren’t stopping Chest pain Breathing difficulties Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped Severe allergic reactions Severe burns and scald Stoke Major trauma such as a road traffic accident. Less severe injuries can be managed at home or in Urgent Care Centres.

Dental emergencies Please contact your usual dentist as some practices will offer emergency slots. You can also contact NHS 111, who can put you in contact with an urgent dental service. Your GP cannot offer urgent or emergency care.

• ALL TYPES OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL DECORATING • AROUND THE HOUSE MAINTENANCE JOBS • FREE ESTIMATES • REFERENCES AVAILABLE • RELIABLE, INEXPENSIVE AND QUALITY WORK BY LOCAL TRADESMEN CAN WE HELP YOU?

Please call Mike or John on: Tel 01322 406439 / 01322 525708 Mobile: 07742 085333 Email: mikeperry5001@aol.com

Partners: Mike Perry and John Petherick