Ambulance service shares advice ahead of Easter bank holiday weekend
The South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) is asking members of the public to use the right healthcare service this Easter bank holiday weekend, as the region prepares for the start of the holiday season.
Residents and tourists to the South West are being reminded to only dial 999 in a life-threatening emergency.
Bank holiday weekends can be a very busy period for the emergency services, especially when the weather is warm and people are out enjoying the sun – whether in the garden, doing DIY at home, visiting family and friends, or exploring the region’s beauty spots.
Ahead of the Easter weekend, the advice is to:
- Continue to call 999 in life-threatening emergencies - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
- Visit NHS 111 Online for non-life-threatening medical help or advice
- Make sure you have ordered and collected any repeat medicines
- Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications. Details of which pharmacies are open over the Easter bank holiday weekend can be found via theInteractive map
- Visitors to the South West are reminded that their first point of call for GP care is their home practice, who will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to a pharmacy of their choose.
Wayne Darch, Deputy Director of Operations at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “To make sure that we can be there for everyone that needs us in a medical emergency, we’re asking you to choose the right care service for you this Easter bank holiday weekend. We ask that you only call 999 in a life-threatening emergency, this will ensure we have crews available for patients with the most life-threatening conditions.
“I would also like to say a huge thank you to our people and NHS colleagues who will be working over the Easter weekend to help keep us all safe and well. Should you need their support, please be kind to them, they are working hard under huge pressures currently.”
People are also asked not to call 999 back for an estimated arrival time of an ambulance. They should only call back if the patient’s condition worsens, or they no longer need an ambulance. This helps keep phone lines free for others in need.
Which service should I use?
Self-care – for things like grazed knees, coughs, and colds.
Pharmacy – visit your local pharmacy for headaches, upset stomachs, aches, and pains.
NHS 111 – visit online or call NHS 111 for advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
GP – call your GP for symptoms that won’t go away
Minor injuries unit – attend your local minor injuries unit for urgent non-life-threatening conditions and injuries such as
sprains, fractures, and burns.
999 – call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, fits that aren’t stopping, chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, severe allergic reactions, suspected stroke, and serious head injuries.
