As winter approaches and demand on GPs and emergency care services rises, NHS Wales’ Chief Executive Judith Paget is reminding everyone of the different services available across Wales for quick and quality treatment.
The Welsh Government’s ‘Help us, Help You’ campaign highlights the other local services and health professionals working in NHS Wales, that are available to ensure those with urgent care needs can be treated quickly - without needing to go to their GPs or nearest emergency department.
Expert advice and guidance is also available 24/7 via the NHS 111 Wales free helpline and website.
With 76 symptom checkers online and highly trained call handlers, the NHS 111 service can resolve a person’s care needs over the phone or direct them to the right place, to get treatment fast and fitted to their needs - which may not always be a GP or emergency department and could be a pharmacy, minor injury unit or opticians.
People with urgent mental health needs can access a mental health professional without a traditional GP referral, via the NHS 111 Wales ‘press 2’ service.
Additionally, 99% of pharmacies in Wales can provide advice for and treat a range of conditions which would otherwise be treated by GPs or other NHS services, through the national common ailment service (CAS).
For further information please select the following link "Help Us Help You get treatment as fast as possible this winter” – Head of NHS Wales | GOV.WALES