Choosing well The most appropriate source of help and

how to decide Some common problems and what we may

be able to do to help ourselves

For which of these would you call 999? Bitten by a hamster? Bunny ears? Man U losing in the premier league? Sudden onset drooping of the face? All of them?

FAST

Cough

Calling 999 If you think you are having a stroke or

heart attack

Calling 999 Loss of consciousness Acute confused state and fits that are

not stopping Severe injury

Calling 999 Breathing difficulties Severe bleeding that can't be stopped

Calling 999 Severe burns or scalds Choking Collapse

Calling 999 Ask for the ambulance service Tell them:

The address where the person isWho is illHow old they areThe telephone number you are

calling from

Calling 999What has happened

Is the person breathing?

Is the person awake?

Calling 999 Is the person bleeding?

Have they got any chest pain?

When to go to A&E Severe abdominal pain Severe allergic reactions Any significant injury Overdoses

When you might have to call for ambulance Fall and the person is not able to get up

or can be helped to get up

111

• 24/7• Calls free

from landline and mobile

Calling 111 You need medical help fast but it's not a

999 emergency You think you need to go to A&E or need

another NHS urgent care service You don't know who to call or you don't

have a GP to call You need health information or

reassurance about what to do next

How does it work? Trained advisors Questions to assess your symptoms Advice or direct to best health care

service –A&E/ OOH service/ Community Nurse / Emergency Dentist

Book an appointment or transfer directly to the people you need to speak to

How does it work? If 111 advisers think you need an

ambulance they will immediately arrange for one to be sent

Calls are recorded

Out-of-hours services From 6.30pm to 8.00am on weekdays

and all day at weekends and on bank holidays

Best to call 111 GP service available at the Pilgrim

Hospital Home visiting done by team of trained

nurses

Old Leake? We deal with anything that is not suitable for

999 or A&E and everything else If you have something urgent between 8am

to 630 pm call the surgery to see if we can help

Situations clearly suitable for 999/ A&E are best dealt with by them

The surgery provides home visits but makes it very difficult to provide these if requested after about 1 pm

Self Help I am going to

mention three emergencies and three common generally minor illnesses

Suspected Heart Attack Pain in centre of chest like pressure,

squeezing or tightness May be sick and sweaty Call 999 Sit the person down Reassure and watch closely Give 300mg Aspirin to chew slowly unless

reason not to use If they have a GTN spray help them use it

Insanity?

Not to be Missed

Not to be Missed

Suspected Stroke F- Facial weakness: is the person unable

to smile evenly, or are their eyes or mouth droopy?

A - Arm weakness: is the person only able to raise one arm?

S - Speech problems: is the person unable to speak clearly or understand you?

T - Time to call 999 if a person has any of these symptoms

Fall or Fracture If in any doubt treat the injury as a

broken bone Call 999 if the person has severe

bleeding, or breathing difficulty or is unconscious

Keep the injury still With a broken finger or arm may be able

to drive them to A&E without causing more harm

What has happened?

Hip fracture Unable to move, lift or turn leg Unable to stand or put weight on your leg Shorter leg, or your leg turning outwards

more on the injured side Call 999 Try not to move while you are waiting for

an ambulance keep warm

Recognise this?

Colds Average 2-4 colds per year Will generally get better on its own

within a week without any specific treatment

Drink enough fluids – use your thirst as a guide

Steam inhalations with menthol Hot drinks (particularly with lemon) and

lozenges

Colds

Can use Paracetamol and Ibuprofen Aspirin is ok but not under 16 years Decongestant tablets or nasal drops can

help but should not be used for > 7 days Cough medicines are used but little

evidence for benefit Antibiotics not needed Echinacea or zinc may help prevent

What does this cause?

Diarrhoea Usually improves within a few days – 2-

4 days in adults and 5-7 days in children Main risk is dehydration Drink plenty – small frequent sips Rehydration drinks may help Don’t starve – small, light meals Anti-diarrhoeal medications

Imodium may help

Diarrhoea Seek help –

Blood or mucus in the stoolHigh feverContinuous vomitingNot passing urineDiarrhoea continues more than 1 week

What is this test?

Fever in children Temperature more than 37.5 ( 99.5) Mostly caused by infections commonly

colds, ear infections, throat infections, etc

If the child is otherwise well and playful it is less likely they have a serious illness

What can you do? Encourage fluids keep them cool - cover with a lightweight

sheet and keep room around 18 degrees

Use children's Paracetamol or Ibuprofen – Do not give them both at the same time but if one doesn’t work you can try the other later

When to get help? Vomiting > twice per day Dehydrated 0-3 months and temperature > 38 > 3 months and temperature > 39 Fit Headache/ confusion/ drowsiness Rash that does not fade on pressure Fever lasts> 5 days

You are concerned

Summing it all up If you think it is anything that is life

threatening or cannot wait more than few minutes call 999

Do not ignore signs of heart attack or stroke

A lot of conditions are self limiting and simple measures suffice

Trust your instincts with children – if you are worried get help