COVID-19

For all Covid 19 queries please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ / https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus or call NHS 119

Information on Health Conditions

Lots of good advice on health conditions can be found quickly and easily at www.patient.co.uk and www.nhs.uk

Some common conditions that people seek GP appointments for will get better within a short time or can be treated with over-the-counter medicines from a pharmacy. 
For a wide range of minor ailments, your local pharmacist should be your first point-of-call because: 

• You don’t need an appointment 

• There are no waiting times 

• You will see a clinician with expertise in minor ailments and their treatment 

• You can have privacy if you would like it 

• You can leave with appropriate treatment or therapy and guidance on how to use it

Pharmacists are medical experts and are able to offer advice and over-the-counter treatments for minor ailments like aches and pains, coughs and colds, infections and viruses, allergies, minor injuries, skin conditions and more, saving a visit to the doctor’s surgery.

Social Care Hubs

Social work help, advice on benefits, care at home and carer support call the social care hub on 01905 844356. In the Hub, a team of social care and health professionals sit together with coordinators in one office and triage referrals to the right place or person. An urgent care team sits with them and can go to any patient needing rapid care, for example providing mobility equipment that day which may prevent them needing to go into hospital.

Podiatry

Access to NHS podiatry for most is limited, you should make your own enquiries for local providers. Age UK also provide podiatry (for a fee) via https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/in-you-area/foot-care/ 

Podiatrists specialise in the foot, ankle and leg, leading the patient care through the whole journey including prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Podiatrists work in a variety of places and can work with a team of people including doctors, nurses and physiotherapists.

Opticians

For urgent and minor eye conditions please use the urgent eye care service.

See www.primaryeyecare.co.uk.

Opticians can help you with:

➜Dry, red, sore, watery, sticky, itchy eyes.

➜Cysts, styes and conjunctivitis

➜Some opticians also offer ear syringing services

Dental Access Centres

Patients with an urgent dental problem and without a regular dentist can obtain advice and, where necessary, an emergency appointment by contacting the Dental Advice Line on 01562514515.

Hospital appointments

For any queries about your hospital appointment you should first contact your hospital.

The number for Worcester Royal is 01905 763333, Alexandra Redditch is 01527 503030 and Kidderminster Hospital is 01562 823424

➜ For hospital transport contact 0300 0110017

➜ Community sexual health services in Worcestershire are designed to improve access to key treatments including emergency hormonal contraception and treatment for chlamydia infection. These services are free and confidential. 

Worcester Integrated Sexual Health Services (WISH) can be accessed through Worcester 01905 681645, or at www.knowyourstuff.nhs.uk

Walk-in clinics are not operating during the coronavirus pandemic and only patients with no symptoms who require urgent/emergency treatment will be seen face to face.

Drug & Alcohol

➜ You can self refer for help via https://www.cranstoun.org/services/substance-misuse/ 

Pharmacies provide help, support and sign-posting for patients to reduce the risk of harm from substance misuse.

Pharmacies may also supervise the consumption of medicines or provide items such as needles/sharps bins, as well as sexual health advice.

Physiotherapy

➜For physiotherapy please self refer on https://www.hcw.nhs.uk/movetoimprove/

➜For joint or muscle self care advice see NHS Choices on www.nhs.uk

Physiotherapists working in general practice provide patients with expert diagnosis and treatment for these types of conditions and can prevent the need for referral to hospital. By bringing physiotherapists into general practice, this puts physiotherapy expertise at the start of the patient’s journey; at the place they are most likely to seek help first. These physiotherapists can free up GP time by arranging swift access to a specialist where necessary and offer direct treatments.

Social Prescribers and Life Style Advisors

Self refer though www.onside-advocacy.org.uk , www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/SP or call 01905 27525

Social prescribing involves helping patients to improve their health, wellbeing and welfare by connecting them to community services which might be run by the council or a local charity. For example, signposting people who have been diagnosed with dementia to local dementia support groups.

In general practice, social prescribers can take the time to talk about what matters to patients and support them to find suitable activities that are a better alternative to medication. They connect people to community groups and services for practical and emotional support.