Help us help you this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Bank holidays are traditionally very busy times for hospital emergency departments, and with the Easter Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 29 March – Monday 1 April 2024) approaching, we are expecting to see an increase in demand for our urgent care services.
To help keep our patients safe and ensure we can deliver care to those who need it, we are reminding those in our local communities only to attend A&E this Bank Holiday if their medical need is serious or life-threatening, and instead make use of alternative NHS services including NHS 111, local pharmacies, walk-in centres and GP practices.
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. These alternative services are also likely to be able to see you quicker than A&E during peak periods.
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 NHS services:
Caterham MIU (if aged 18 and over)
Located at Caterham Dene Hospital, Church Road, Caterham, CR3 5RA. Open 9am – 8pm, seven days a week. This is a convenient alternative to A&E and is run by qualified emergency nurse practitioners. The MIU provides treatment for cuts and grazes, sprains and strains, broken bones (fractures), bites and stings, infected wounds, eye problems such as infections or scratches, sports injuries, minor burns and scalds. X-ray facilities are available on-site.
Crawley UTC
Located at Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley, RH11 7DH. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. UTCs treat most injuries that are urgent but not life-threatening. For example, sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings.
Horsham MIU
Located at Horsham Hospital, Hurst Road, Horsham, RH12 2DR. Open 9am – 5pm from Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays. They are a minor injuries unit staffed by Emergency Nurse Practitioners and other nursing and ancillary staff. They provide assessment and treatment of a wide range of minor injuries in both adults and children. Following assessment patients may be treated and discharged or, if appropriate, referred to other health care providers. X-ray facilities are available on-site.
East Grinstead MIU
Located at Queen Victoria Hospital, Holtye Road, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ. Open 8am – 8pm, seven days a week. The unit is run by emergency practitioners and experienced specialist nurses and paramedics who are able to assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of minor injuries and ailments for both adults and children over one year old. On call cover is also available for emergency referrals outside of these hours.
NHS 111 – NHS 111 is a free phone service that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It offers a one-stop number for patients with urgent, but not life-threatening symptoms with advice from a trained professional. It is also available online 24 hours a day at www.111.nhs.uk.
Self-care – people suffering from minor ailments should treat themselves at home or visit their local pharmacy.
Pharmacies – your local pharmacist is qualified to offer advice on health issues and medication as well as treat headaches, an upset stomach and other common illnesses.
For advice to help prevent getting ill and self-manage minor illnesses visit the NHS website.