The NHS in Greater Manchester is asking you to think carefully about how you access health and medical care.
Please think twice and consider if attending an A&E department is really necessary and the best option for you, or whether you may be better seeking advice and help from one of our community healthcare services. Of course, in a genuine emergency the A&E department will provide the best possible care to patients.
The Choose Well Manchester website contains lots of clear, easy to understand self-care information and advice on what to do when you or someone you care for is ill. There are videos, downloadable leaflets and the website itself can be displayed in 66 languages.
There are a number of key things to remember that will help you to look after your health, and will help make sure that A&E and ambulance teams are free to treat people who have emergency conditions such as strokes and heart attacks or have had serious accidents:
- Your local high street pharmacy is an important part of the NHS team, and feel better fast is Manchester’s walk-in minor ailment scheme which can provide expert, fast and confidential advice and treatment for common complaints.
The service operates in partnership with your GP practice so that registered patients can get advice and any medicines they need from a local community pharmacy without the need for an appointment with your GP. Normal prescription charges apply, but if you usually get your prescriptions free you won’t have to pay for medicines prescribed though the feel better fast scheme. Consultations are always free and confidential, regardless of whether the pharmacist gives you any medication. Ask at your local pharmacy or GP practice if you want to start using this service. - If you have a long term condition, such as diabetes, lung problems or heart disease, make sure you get your seasonal flu jab – you are particularly at risk of developing complications if you catch the flu virus.
- If you take regular medication, make sure you are up-to-date with any repeat prescriptions, and talk to your local pharmacy or GP about a medicines review, which could help you to manage your health. If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, please complete our online Medication Review form.
5 Questions to Help you Stay Fit and Well
If you are aged 65 and over or living with a long term health condition, here are five basic questions you can ask your GP, community nurse or local pharmacy, that could help you stay fit and well:
- Do I need a flu jab in the winter?
- Would a medicines review help me?
- Have I got a care plan/checklist of what to do if I think I’m getting ill, 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week?
- Have I got the right medicines at home to treat myself if I get a minor illness such as a cold, upset stomach or earache?
- Are there any other local information or support services available for people with my condition?