Who do I see?

Self-care applies to any illness or injury that can be treated/managed by the individual, this includes (but is not limited to):

• Grazed knees
• Sore throat
• Coughs & colds

If you are unsure of whether self care is suitable for your injury/illness, please visit Health A to Z – NHS for self-care advice and information on when to see a healthcare professional.

Did you know?

You can also access the NHS Health A-Z website via the NHS app by navigating to “Services” and selecting “Browse NHS health information”.

Pharmacies can provide free health advice and treatment for a range of minor injuries/illnesses including:

• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Aches & pains
• Bites & Stings

This service is referred to as Pharmacy First and does not require a prior GP appointment. See the video below to learn about how Pharmacy First works.

NHS 111 should be used for urgent but non life threatening illnesses/injuries.

Call 111 to receive advice and support over the phone

Or

Visit 111 online at Get help for your symptoms – NHS 111

The 111 online service can be used to check your symptoms and receive advice on how to proceed.

111 services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

You should contact your GP for symptoms that won’t go away.

The NHS Health A-Z page can advise you on how long you should monitor your symptoms before contacting your GP.

Did you know?

We have a musculoskeletal (MSK) specialist physio working in this PCN!

If you are experiencing:

• Back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Knee pain
• Joint pain

A MSK specialist can help you manage/improve your condition, address your concerns and help refer you to further treatment and investigation, just ask to speak to a First Contact Physio (FCP).

You should visit the Minor Injury Unit for urgent but not life threatening injuries/illnesses such as:

• Minor cuts and lacerations
• Strains and sprains
• Simple fractures and dislocations
• Minor burns and scalds
• Minor head injuries (except for cases with new increased confusion, loss of consciousness or intoxication)
• Minor eye injuries
• Splinters or other foreign bodies in the skin, eye, ear or nose

Chippenham and Trowbridge MIUs are open for walk in patients and patients who have been advised to attend by 111. You will be assessed on arrival but may need to wait to be seen, or directed to another service for appropriate care.

Please be aware MIUs do not treat babies under one year old and are not equipped to treat serious conditions or life threatening emergencies.

If you are not sure if your condition is urgent or life threatening, please call 111 or visit 111 Online for advice.

A&E (999) should only be used for serious and life threatening emergencies including:

• Loss of consciousness
• Breathing difficulties
• Stroke
• Heart attack
• Heavy bleeding
• Severe burns

You can find your nearest UTC/A&E at Find your nearest A&E – NHS

Do not drive to A&E, ask someone to drive you or call 999 to ask for an ambulance.

All patients are triaged on arrival, this helps the team work out what order patients wil be seen in. The most seriously unwell patients will be seen first, arriving by Ambulance does not mean you will be seen sooner than if you had walked in to A&E.

Help emergency services find you using What 3 words to find and share your accurate location.

Download the app free:

App Store – what3words: Navigation & Maps on the App Store

Google Play – what3words: Navigation & Maps – Apps on Google Play

If you are not sure if it is an emergency, please call 111 or use 111 Online for advice, you may be referred to the MIU or instructed to call 999.