Message to the public as Nottingham and Nottinghamshire health and care system continues to face pressures

The NHS continues to face pressures due to staff shortages, general winter pressures and seasonal illnesses circulating.

GPs and emergency departments continue to see high numbers of patients and there remains a range of steps everyone can take to help. The local healthcare system is asking the public to continue to choose the correct NHS service as well as getting protected against seasonal illnesses, both of which will help to reduce pressures in the system.

Through system working and the positive actions of the public so far, we have seen a reduction in hospital bed admissions and an increase in discharge levels, which has helped with capacity across the system and meant we have been able to stand down the critical incident which was declared on Wednesday 3 January.

Dr Dave Briggs, Medical Director at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said: “We are grateful to everyone who has taken steps to help over the past week, this has meant we have been able to stand down the critical incident. We would like to thank our incredible teams across the health and social care sector for their efforts in keeping the public safe. Our NHS and social care staff have worked tirelessly to maintain services.

“Please continue to support your local NHS by choosing the right services, only attending A&E when it is a genuine emergency and by making sure you stay protected. We would particularly encourage those eligible for MMR, flu and COVID vaccinations to take up the offer of a free vaccinations as these illnesses are circulating.”

This is how you can continue to help

Pharmacies

Pharmacies can offer over-the-counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies. Many pharmacies are offering additional services for common conditions including urinary tract infections, middle ear infections in young children, skin infections including impetigo, infected eczema and infected insect bites. Find out more about pharmacy services.

Contact NHS 111

NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit NHS 111 online or dial 111 from any phone. A trained operator will make sure you are seen in the right place and by the right person. They can even book you an appointment at an out of hours GP or at your nearest urgent treatment centre.

Self-help

Many conditions can be treated at home with rest and/or over-the-counter medicines. The NHS website has information on a huge range of conditions, with advice on how and where to best to treatment.

Read up on children’s illnesses

If you are concerned about a symptom your child has then we have developed web pages to provide you with consistent and high-quality advice from local health professionals about common childhood illnesses, including advice on what ‘red-flag’ signs to look out for, where to seek help if required and how long your child’s symptoms are likely to last. You can access these pages on our website.

Know where to find your nearest urgent treatment centre

Urgent Treatment Centres are open every day, including weekends. Urgent treatment centres provide medical help when it’s not a life-threatening emergency. They can diagnose and deal with many of the common problems people go to A&E for. We have two urgent treatment centres:

• Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Treatment Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500
• Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient seen at 9.30pm). Address: Boundary Road, Newark NG24 4DE

Support your relatives to get home from hospital

People can continue help us by supporting relatives to return home from hospital when they are medically fit. Help with practical arrangements like transport, making sure they have a key, that there is food and drink at home and that they have medication and any equipment they need to aid their recovery can make a huge difference.

Access mental health support

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have a mental health crisis line which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people of all ages. Call 0808 196 3779. Find out more about mental health support.

Covid and flu vaccinations

Covid, flu, MMR and other winter viruses are circulating at the moment. Make sure you are protected from winter illnesses by getting your vaccinations, if you are eligible. You can get your vaccinations from your GP or pharmacy, find out which pharmacies are offering vaccinations on the NHS pharmacy finder website

Only use A&E and 999 in emergencies

Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for genuine emergencies.

For more information on knowing where to go for medical care, visit NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire's website.