At Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (SASH), we need to ensure that our staff in the emergency department (ED) are able to quickly attend to the sickest patients that require our care. We are therefore reminding people to consider their options before coming to A&E (ED), in particular over the Jubilee weekend (2 – 5 June 2022) when we are expecting demand for our services to be high.

With a range of local NHS healthcare services available, minor conditions, such as hay fever or sunburn can be managed safely and effectively at home or with advice from a pharmacist. Get advice and treatments for a range of symptoms like pain, coughs, eye infections and rashes at your local pharmacy. To find ones open in our area please visit here.

A&E is for emergencies only. Anyone who needs medical support over the Jubilee weekend, but does not have a life-threatening illness or injury, should contact NHS111 by dialling 111 or going online to www.111.nhs.uk. The service is available 24 hours a day. NHS111 can help you get to the right service and can link you in with out-of-hours GP services, walk-in-centres and other services. A trained advisor will ask you a variety of questions to point you towards the most appropriate solution for your medical inquiry.

Angela Stevenson, chief executive at SASH, said:

"We are very grateful to our community for their ongoing support. At SASH, we continue to be extremely busy and challenged. Please think before going to the emergency department this Jubilee weekend. Capacity in the emergency department is needed to deal with life-threatening emergencies and to provide urgent help for people who may have become seriously ill with conditions such as a stroke or a heart attack. Please help us help those who need us most.”

The Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year and can treat most injuries or illnesses that are not life threatening, including chest infections, sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries.

Alternative NHS services:

Walk-in centre – with no appointment necessary your local walk-in centre is managed by doctors and nurses who are available to deal with minor illnesses and injuries, such as cuts, burns, sprains and suspected breaks.

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. 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

GP out-of-hours service – if you need to see a doctor when your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 (dial 111).

For advice to help prevent getting ill and self-manage minor illnesses visit NHS Choices https://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx