Help us to help you – continue to choose healthcare services wisely this summer

As temperatures remain high across the country, we’d like to remind you to continue to take good care of yourselves and those around you.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has extended the current heat-health alerts until 11pm tonight (Friday 26 June), with temperatures hopefully set to decrease after that point.

Thank you to everyone who has chosen their healthcare services wisely, and also taken sensible action to stay safe and well in the heat. This helps us keep our Emergency Departments (A&E) for people who really need them.

However, we ask that people remain mindful of choosing the best healthcare services for their needs post-heatwave.

There are many options available to you to help stay well.

Emergency Departments (A&E) and 999
Emergency Departments and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies. If you come to an Emergency Department (A&E) for other conditions, you may face a very long wait as priority is given to patients with the most urgent clinical need.

NHS 111
If you need clinical advice but are not in a life-threatening emergency, contact NHS 111 online or call for free. Fully trained advisers are available 24 hours a day, every day.

They will ask questions to assess your symptoms and provide healthcare advice or direct you to the right local service, or call an ambulance if necessary.

Get help for your symptoms - NHS 111

Pharmacies
Pharmacies provide advice on minor illnesses and conditions, and advice on how to manage your medications.

You can also order a repeat prescription via the NHS App. There is more information about how to get the app on the NHS website. Once set up, prescriptions can be sent to a high street pharmacy for collection or delivery if available.

NHS App

Healthier Together app and website
The Healthier Together website is designed to help parents and guardians of young children, and there is an app too - it has features like being able to create a secure profile for your child, as well as easily check their symptoms if they're unwell and get advice on what to do and where to go next.

There is a lot of helpful information on the Healthier Together website, and you can download the app there too.

Oxfordshire Healthier Together

Minor Injuries Unit
If you need prompt advice or treatment for minor injuries, a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) could help you. You can get treatment at an MIU for deep cuts, eye injuries, broken bones, severe sprains, minor head injuries, minor burns or scalds, minor sports injuries.

Oxfordshire MIUs are located at Abingdon Community Hospital, Townlands Memorial Hospital in Henley, and Witney Community Hospital.

Minor Injury and First Aid Units

Self-care
Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries. A range of common illnesses and injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.

For information to help you self-care, including healthy lifestyle information, a health A-Z of conditions and treatments, or to find your nearest pharmacy for over-the-counter medicines, visit the NHS website.

Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather - NHS
NHS website for England - NHS