With so many major events planned for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight this Bank Holiday weekend, a top GP is urging people to plan ahead – to ease pressure on the local NHS.
Major weekend events include the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, the Summer Festival in Petersfield, the Isle of Wight Steam Fair and CarFest at Laverstoke Park Farm, near Overton; and on Monday there’s also the Gosport Vehicle Rally and Eastleigh and Swanwick Duck Race.
Demand for GP and other health and care services, a high number of COVID-19 patients still needing care in hospitals and continued high volumes of 999 calls are all challenges for the dedicated health and care staff working tirelessly to support patients.
Dr Zaid Hirmiz, a Horndean GP and Clinical Director (South East Hampshire) for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “Although the NHS will always be available to help, our services continue to face considerable pressures and the August Bank Holiday can be a challenging time.
“If you do need to use NHS services over the Bank Holiday weekend, please consider carefully which service can best help you. Our hospital emergency departments are still under strain so please avoid going to ED unless it is life-threatening.
“We are working with all our partners across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to provide safe, high-quality care for all patients but please plan ahead for any prescriptions or other health items you might need as some services will be closed.
“Out-of-hours services are available for people with mental health concerns, dentistry issues and requests that could be seen by your GP practice. Contact NHS 111 online if you need these as they can direct you to the most appropriate service.”
Watch a short video of Southampton GP, Dr Pritti Aggarwal, sharing health tips for the August bank holiday weekend:
Pharmacy
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – plan ahead for your prescriptions
- Some pharmacies may be closed over the Bank Holiday weekend so order prescriptions in advance where possible
- Details of local pharmacy opening times can be found here.
- If you need repeat prescriptions from your GP, these can be ordered online or over the phone
- Your pharmacist can give you advice and guidance on medications if you need it.
Self-care
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – look after yourself and your family this weekend
- Ensure your medicine cabinet has everything you need – plan ahead
- Have all the numbers you need for relevant services to hand just in case – including out of hours numbers. For children’s health issues, visit the Healthier Together website ( what0-18.nhs.uk ) or by clicking here.
- If you are out and about in hot weather, wear sunscreen and dress appropriately to avoid becoming unwell
- Always tell someone where you are going
- If you need emergency dental health care you can find advice here.
Know where to go
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – but if you do need us, know where to go
- With pressures so high across the NHS it is important that you seek help from the most appropriate NHS service
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency call 999, attend, or ensure they attend, an emergency department.
- If you need urgent medical help but it is not a life-threatening emergency, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111, so a trained advisor will direct you to the most appropriate service for your needs.
- Our Urgent Treatment Centres in Southampton, Basingstoke, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Lymington and Isle of Wight, will be open this Bank Holiday weekend and they can deal with minor wounds and injuries which are not life-threatening
- Your GP can help but they are also under intense pressure currently and prioritising patients with the most urgent needs, so if it can wait until after the weekend, or dealt with elsewhere please bear that in mind
- Pharmacists are able to provide advice and guidance and help with many common ailments and minor injuries.
Pressures on 999/111
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – Use the 111 service for support
- If you think you need to be seen at the emergency department and it is safe for you to make your own way there, please do so and help keep ambulances free for those who need them.
- Contact NHS 111 via phone or 111.nhs.uk
- 111 is receiving a high number of calls, so if you can use the service online it will mean we can help provide support more quickly
- 111 can help with mental health support out of hours, if you have no urgent number to access your usual services.
Accident and Emergency Departments
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – avoid the Emergency Department unless your life is in danger
- Please only attend the emergency department if it is life threatening
- Patients who come to ED but do not need emergency care will be directed to other services
- Please help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 by not coming to hospital if you have symptoms, unless it is an emergency.
- Please be patient with our emergency health and care staff who understand that waiting is frustrating but are doing everything they can to care for the sickest patients first.
Primary care
- If you need to speak to your GP over the Bank Holiday weekend, bear in mind this is a very busy time and it might be an out of hours service if they are not open
- Only ask for an urgent appointment if necessary.
- You may be triaged over the phone before being offered a face-to-face appointment, if your clinician feels it is necessary. This allows our GPs to treat and care for as many patients as possible.
- Types of appointments include phone consultations, online consultations or video consultations. Face-to-face appointments are still available if you need them. GP practice staff are also helping patients to manage their conditions at home while they wait for hospital appointments.
- If you can’t see your GP, pharmacists are able to provide advice and guidance on medications and a minor health concern such as headaches, aches and pains, coughs, colds or an upset stomach.
- If you can’t get through to a GP and you need medical advice, please make use of the 111 service and they can guide you.
Leaving hospital when ready
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – help loved ones leave the hospital
- Having people staying in hospital beds, who are ready to go home, is one of the things that puts pressure on our services
- If you have a family member or friend in hospital, please support them to get home when they are ready
- Staying in contact with the ward they are on so everyone knows when they will need to go home
- Supporting with any arrangements, including bringing them clothes and shoes to wear, to go home in
- If you can help take a relative, friend or neighbour home when they are ready to leave hospital it helps them get home more quickly
Mental Health
Don’t make the NHS your Bank Holiday destination – out of hours mental health help is available
- Plan ahead for your prescriptions in case your pharmacy is closed
- Plan ahead for mental health support – know your support services out of hours contact details
- If you need urgent mental health support over the Bank Holiday weekend, call 111 who can guide you
- You can find details of local mental health services here. Or you can text 'HANTS' to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer who can help with anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression.
If you or someone you know is having a severe mental health crisis, call 999