Out Of Hours Service
Choose the right NHS Service for your illness or injury.
1 in 3 patients using A&E locally could have cared for themselves, or used an alternative NHS service. CLICK HERE for more information. |
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Becoming unwell at night or the weekend when the surgery is closed (outside the times of 08.30 to 18.00, Monday to Friday) can be a stressful and worrying experience. The services that provide "out of hours" medical care have changed slightly, so see below the current options:
Self Care
- A range of common illnesses such as coughs and colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains can be treated with a well stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest
- Did you know that a cough caused by a cold normally takes 2-4 weeks to settle?
- Keep some self care essentials in the house: paracetamol, re-hydration sachets, indigestion remedies and a thermometer
- For more information visit www.patient.co.uk which has a large number of useful information sheets on many common medical conditions
- 111 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to direct you to the correct service.
- The '111' call handler can give advice, book an appointment with the Out of Hours GP or nurse directly, or if necessary, arrange a home visit
- The nearest clinicians are based in Ely (Princess of Wales Hospital), Doddington Hospital, or Cambridge (Chesterton Hospital)
To find a NHS Dentist either visit NHS Choices on www.nhs.uk or call 0800 2792535
Your Local Pharmacy
- They can provide confidential expert advice for a range of common illnesses and complaints
Minor Injuries Unit
- The Minor Injuries Unit at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Ely is open 08.30 to 18.00, Monday to Sunday
- Experienced and highly trained nurses can treat a wide range of problems including wounds, minor burns, sprains and strains, limb fractures, emergency contraception, eye problems, ear ache (if over 2 years of age), cystitis (for ladies over 14 years old) and minor head injuries
- It is an excellent service which usually has a waiting time considerably shorter than local A&E Departments
- Medical emergencies.
- Critical or life threatening situations.