If you’re feeling unwell this Bank Holiday weekend, remember your local pharmacist is on hand to help and can save you a long wait in your local emergency department.
Many people are unaware of the wide range of services available from their local pharmacist and spend time waiting unnecessarily for a GP appointment, minor injury unit or even in busy hospital emergency departments.
Pharmacist Jackie Lewis of Lewis Pharmacy in Exmouth said: “Whether it’s sunburn, a bite or sting or an upset stomach, we’re on hand throughout the bank holiday, as always. We can support you...
A new free and confidential digital mental health and wellbeing service for adults is now available across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Qwell (www.qwell.io), delivered by mental health provider Kooth , will ensure that every adult living in the Devon has access to a choice of support to managing their own emotional health and wellbeing.
NHS Devon, working in partnership with Devon, Plymouth and Torbay Councils, has commissioned Qwell to provide all adults aged 18+ with free, anonymous, confidential digital mental health support.
Residents and visitors to Devon are being reminded that if they have an urgent health issue this summer they can access medical advice online or by phone 24 hours a day at NHS111 .
Anyone contacting 111 who needs emergency medical care from a hospital Emergency Department (also known as A&E) will be given direct access to the department. Staff at NHS111 can also refer patients through to Minor Injuries Units and Urgent Treatment Centres. This will ensure that people get to the right place for treatment quickly and may reduce their waiting times.
NHS Devon’s trailblazing work to tackle health inequalities experienced by ethnically diverse communities in Devon has received national recognition, beating stiff competition from across the country to win the Health Equalities category in the national NHS parliamentary awards.
NHS Devon’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team were nominated by the MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, Luke Pollard and the MP for Totnes, Anthony Mangnall. The winning nominees were announced at an awards ceremony in Westminster yesterday (6 July).
Office for National Statistics (ONS) data suggest that around 1.7 million people in the UK were estimated to have coronavirus in the week ending 18 June, an increase of 23 per cent in one week.
In Devon, the ONS data is showing a continuing rise in the number of people in hospital with coronavirus, and a rise in positive cases overall.
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon says: “We are seeing a gradual climb again in the number of people in Devon reporting a positive coronavirus test. However, with fewer people testing, the actual numbers of people with the virus...
Three decommissioned ambulances have been donated to the Government of Ukraine, by the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), as part of the UK’s package of NHS ambulance donations.
The ambulances recently left Bristol Ambulance Station to start their 1,200-mile journey to Poland’s border with Ukraine. Each ambulance contains a stretcher, scoop stretcher, long board and carry chair.
The ambulances will provide urgent and immediate care to those injured by Russian bombardments.
Will Warrender, Chief Executive of SWASFT, said: “Like so many...
With Easter fast approaching, Devon’s NHS leaders are calling on people to be prepared ahead of the bank holidays and the two-week school holiday period.
The long Easter weekend traditionally puts extra pressure on health services when most GP practices are closed and more people are outdoors enjoying everything Devon has to offer.
Most GP practices will be closed for Easter for four days from Friday 15 April to Monday 18 April, with normal opening hours resuming on Tuesday.
Each Easter sees many patients calling the NHS 111 helpline because they have run out of...
All children aged five and over are eligible to have the COVID-19 vaccination from 5 April.
Bookings can be made online or by calling 119 from 2 April. The vaccination is not being given to this age group in school. Walk-in and pop-up clinics are advertised on NHS England’s site finder here , but please check that the clinic is offering vaccinations to this age group.
Having the COVID-19 vaccine reduces the likelihood of further disruption to their education, developing Long Covid and passing the infection onto vulnerable family members and friends.
Health officials are warning that cases of COVID-19 – and other diseases that normally circulate in winter – are rising.
Increased social contact is thought to be one of the factors behind an increase in illnesses, which include flu and norovirus, sometimes known as the “winter vomiting bug”.
Although most of England’s Covid-19 restrictions have ended, the health and care system in Devon remains busy, with continued high numbers of people in hospital with COVID-19 and staff absent due to the virus.
Flu and Norovirus cases are increasing, although still currently...
Spring booster jabs are being offered to people at greatest risk of COVID-19 infection from Monday 21 March in the latest phase of the vaccine programme.
An additional Covid-19 vaccine dose is being offered as a precaution to people in Devon who are at extreme high risk from COVID-19 infection, many of whom had their first booster six months ago. This will help protect them if COVID-19 rates are high over the summer months and reduce their chances of needing hospital treatment if they do catch the virus.
The best time to have the spring booster is around six months after...
