Think which service you need this bank holiday weekend

Patients and residents across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB) are being urged to use the best NHS services for their needs as hospitals prepare for the busy Easter bank holiday weekend.

Dr Rachael de Caux, Chief Medical Officer from the BOB Integrated Care Board, said: "Bank holidays are a busy time for the NHS. If you need support or medical assistance, our local health and care professionals want you to get the right help, at the right time, in the right place.

"All you need to know is which service best suits your needs. Remember, 999 and Emergency Departments are for emergency, life-threatening illnesses only.

"If you need health advice but you're not sure where to go, the best thing is to contact NHS 111 online or by phone. They can direct you to right service, which could be an appointment at a minor injury unit, or a visit to a pharmacy or a phone call with another health professional.

"And please remember NHS 111 can also direct you to urgent mental health support and emergency dental treatment."

The public can help the NHS in the following ways:

1. Only call 999 in the event of a serious or life-threatening emergency
2. Do not come to the Emergency Department with minor injuries, as you will be signposted elsewhere
3. Visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need urgent medical help and are not sure what to do
4. Make sure repeat prescriptions are collected in time for weekends and bank holidays
5. Be ready to collect your family or loved ones from hospital as soon as they are medically well enough to leave. Hospital is not the best place if you don't need to be there
6. Use your local pharmacy if you can - they can help with a range of minor health issues including colds, skin problems and earaches.
7. Some local pharmacists can also prescribe antibiotics or other medications without a GP prescription.