Our emergency departments are always here for you and your
family when you need urgent critical care.
If you need urgent medical attention but it's not a
life-threatening situation, you could be seen and treated faster at
a number of different services available across the region:
Minor Injuries
If you have a minor injury such as a sprain, strain, broken bone
or minor head injury, you can also go straight to your local Minor
Injury Unit (MIU) or Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) in Yate,
Hengrove or Clevedon.
Pharmacies
You can get treatment for seven common health conditions
directly from their local pharmacist, without needing a GP
appointment. The Pharmacy First scheme makes it easier and quicker
for patients to access care and treatment on their high street,
while easing pressure on GP services. Under the scheme, pharmacists
can supply prescription-only medicines to treat seven conditions,
where assessment indicates this is appropriate, without patients
needing to visit their GP practice. The conditions are:
- Sinusitis
- Sore throat
- Earache
- Infected insect bite
- Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
- Shingles
- Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women
The service is available direct from pharmacies or by referral
from a GP, NHS 111 or other health services. If prescription
medicines are not appropriate, pharmacists will offer advice or
'over the counter' medicines, or both.
Self-care
Self-care is perfect if your condition is something you will be
able to treat at home, such as coughs, colds and common childhood
illnesses.
HANDi App
The HANDI app offers simple and straightforward advice, for
the following conditions in children:
- diarrhoea and vomiting
- high temperature
- 'chesty baby' illnesses, such as bronchiolitis, asthma and
croup
- 'chesty child' illnesses such as wheezing and asthma
- abdominal pain
- common newborn problems
- head injuries
The app takes you through a series of questions about the
symptoms your child is experiencing and then advises on the best
course of action, whether that's to treat at home, to make a GP
appointment, or to head to A&E.
Download the HANDi App for Android phones at Google Play.
For iPhone or iPad you can download it from the app store
or iTunes, using the search term 'HANDi App'.
If you have a loved one who is due to leave hospital there are a
few simple steps you can take to help get them ready for
discharge.
