Bank holidays are always a busy time for hospital Emergency Departments, so this Easter, help us help you by choosing the right NHS service for your healthcare need. This will help keep patients safe and ensure we can deliver urgent treatment to those who are seriously ill or have a life-threatening injury or condition.
To ensure we can deliver care to those who need it most, we are reminding those in our local communities only to attend their local emergency department over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend if their medical need is serious or life-threatening, and instead make use of alternative NHS services including NHS 111, Urgent Treatment Centres, local pharmacies and GP practices. These alternative services are also likely to be able to see you quicker than ED during peak periods.
Anyone who needs medical support over the Easter weekend but does not have a life-threatening illness or injury should use NHS 111 by going online to www.111.nhs.uk or by simply dialling 111. You will be connected to a trained professional who can offer advice and signpost you to the best and most appropriate local service out of hours, including GPs, walk-in-centres and pharmacies, 24 hours a day.
Where GP surgeries are closed, people are urged to treat illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets from home where possible, using the advice of a pharmacist or NHS 111. You can find out when your local pharmacy will be open over the weekend or find another nearby by visiting the NHS website.
Alternative local NHS services available:
Caterham MIU: Situated at Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, CR3 5RA. The MIU will remain open every day over the festive period from 8am to 8pm and is available for adults and children over the age of five. This facility, managed by qualified emergency nurse practitioners, offers a convenient alternative to A&E. It provides treatment for various minor injuries including cuts, sprains, fractures, bites, infections, eye problems, sports injuries, burns and scalds. X-ray services are available onsite.
Crawley UTC: Located at Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH. Open seven days a week from 7.30am to 10pm, this centre handles urgent but non-life-threatening injuries such as sprains, fractures, burns, head injuries and minor eye injuries.
East Grinstead MIU: Located at Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ. Open daily from 8am to 8pm. Run by experienced emergency practitioners, specialist nurse and paramedics, this unit caters to minor injuries and ailments in both adults and children over one year old. On-call services are also available for emergency referrals outside regular hours.
NHS 111: Accessible 24/7, providing guidance for urgent medical needs that are not life-threatening, either online or via phone.
Self-care: Minor ailments can often be managed at home or with assistance from local pharmacies.
Pharmacies: Qualified pharmacists can offer advice on various health issues and provide medications for common illnesses. Where GP surgeries are closed, it's recommended that individuals manage common illnesses like coughs, colds and stomach upsets at home whenever possible, with guidance from a pharmacist or NHS 111. Community pharmacies under the pharmacy first service are now equipped to address seven common conditions, such as sinusitis, sore throats and urinary tract infections in women. To locate open pharmacies during the weekend or nearby alternatives, visit the NHS website (find a pharmacy).
For advice to help prevent getting ill and self-manage minor illnesses visit the NHS website.