Page updated: 21 Nov 2011
Choose Well
Trafford residents are being encouraged to ‘Choose Well’ this winter to help ease the pressure on GPs and accident and emergency departments.
Click here for tips on how to keep well this winter.
Self care
Self care is about taking control of your own health and wellbeing. Many common winter ailments such as coughs, colds and flu, as well as minor cuts and sprains, can be treated at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Make sure you are stocked up with the following to help you keep well this winter:
- Paracetamol
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
- Re-hydration mixture
- Indigestion remedies
- A thermometer.
For more information, visit www.nhs.uk/selfcare.
NHS Direct
NHS Direct can offer advice and answer any questions about your health or the health of a friend or family member.
You can contact the team of trained nurses and advisors at any time, day or night, by calling 0845 4647. When you call, you'll be asked to provide some basic information about yourself. The team will then assess your problem and advise you on the best course of action to take.
You can also check your symptoms and get health advice and information online at www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect.
Self care
Many common winter ailments such as coughs, colds and flu, as well as minor cuts and sprains, can be treated at home with a well-stocked medicine cabinet. Make sure you are stocked up with the following to help you keep well this winter:
- Paracetamol
- Anti-diarrhoeal medicines
- Re-hydration mixture
- Indigestion remedies
- A thermometer.
Pharmacy
Local pharmacies can also provide professional advice, without the need to visit a GP or A&E. Asit Raja, owner of Lostock Pharmacy on Barton Road, supports the Choose Well campaign:
“Winter is tough on all services, with an increase in winter illnesses such as the flu and the vomiting bug, but people should go to their pharmacist as a first port of call for minor illnesses to help free up GP appointments for those who need them.”
Pharmacists are highly-qualified and have in-depth knowledge about prescription and over-the-counter medicines. They can also offer health and lifestyle advice and direct people to other sources of support, such as the stop smoking service.
“There is no need to make an appointment with the pharmacist, and we can offer confidential advice, even about symptoms that are personal,” Asit added, “but if we think someone needs to see a doctor, we will advise them accordingly.”
To find a local pharmacy, visit www.nhs.uk, or text ‘pharmacy’ to 64746 to receive three free texts with details of your nearest pharmacies.
GP
GPs are often the first person people turn to when they feel ill, but aren’t always the most appropriate service to use, as Dr John Vincent of West Timperley Medical Centre explains:
“If you have a non-urgent illness or injury that will not go away, or that persists despite advice from the pharmacist or NHS Direct, go and see your GP. We are able to prescribe medication that you won’t be offered over the counter, and we can make referrals if we think you need further tests or investigations. On the rare occasion that your condition means you cannot attend the surgery, GPs can provide home visits. Your GP will normally phone you prior to the visit to make an initial assessment of your illness.”
To find your local GP surgery, use the 'find local services' directory on the homepage of this website.
Minor injuries unit
Walk-in centres, minor injuries units and urgent care centres offer convenient access to a range of treatment for minor illnesses and injuries including infections, rashes, fractures and lacerations, emergency contraception and advice, stomach upsets, cuts, bruises, burns and strains. Local opening times may vary. You will be seen by an experienced nurse, without an appointment.
- Trafford's minor injuries unit is located at Altrincham General Hospital. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 6pm.
- Trafford health centre walk-in centre is located at Trafford General Hospital on Moorside Road, Urmston, M41 5SL. It is open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Accident and emergency
Accident and emergency (A&E) departments and the 999 ambulance service should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.
From April to September this year, the number of people going to A&E in the north west went up by nearly 30,000 to just under 1.8 million, and the number of calls to 999 went up by over 3,000 to over 533,000. Over 177,000 more people used A&E services in 2009/10 than in 2008/09.
One out of every four people who go to A&E doesn’t need to be there. This is putting a strain on our emergency services, which need to be able to focus on caring for people with life-threatening and serious conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, lung disease and serious accidents.
In emergencies, visit the A&E department at Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, M41 5SL.