Bypass A&E and Get The Help You Need

Bypass A&E and Get the Help You Need

It doesn’t always need to be A&E! By knowing about and thinking about your options, you can often receive an assessment and treatment quickly by utilising the unplanned care options available. This may allow you to not only access treatment quicker, but also and more importantly leave A&E to deal with life-threatening injuries and serious or severe illnesses.

In Scotland, we are served well with many medical services you can now access. Here are some that you can consider rather than A&E.

Minor Injuries Units (MIU): If you have a wound that may or may not require stitches, a minor burn, a sprain, or a broken bone, these units may be able to help. If you want to access these services, call NHS 24 on 111. NHS 24 may provide a video or telephone consultation, or they may refer you to an MIU where you’ll be treated by an emergency nurse practitioner-led team. Although MIUs accept walk-in appointments, it’s recommended that you call 111 first to make an appointment. Note that MIUs do not treat illnesses, for which you should see your GP or local pharmacy or call 111 for advice.¹

GP surgeries and out-of-hours GP services: Access your GP during accessible hours or contact out-of-hours services via NHS 24 by calling 111. Out-of-hours GP services do deal with severe illness, as well as day-to-day issues for which you’d typically see your GP. They can send an ambulance for you once they have undertaken a clinical assessment, but this takes time. So, if your issue is very serious or life threatening, then call 999.

Dental Services: For dental emergencies, phone your usual dental practice. Such emergencies include abscesses or swelling in the mouth, bleeding, and trauma (such as losing a tooth). If you are not registered with a dentist or if it’s out of hours, phone 111. You can also visit NHS Inform for advice on dental emergencies.

Opticians: If you have a non-penetrating eye injury, contact your local optician who can perform urgent eye exams and treatment. If it’s out of hours, phone 111. You can also access NHS 24’s guide to eye problems for advice.

Pharmacists: If you are experiencing symptoms of a minor illness, the first place to go for advice is your local pharmacist. The pharmacist or a member of the pharmacy team can offer advice and prescribe from a limited list of medications. They may also refer you to another healthcare professional if they believe your condition warrants it.²

Mental health services. If you need mental health support, contact your regular provider of such services if you have one. You can also call 111, and NHS 24 can put you in touch with a mental health nurse who can provide clinical support. The NHS website provides advice and other avenues of support, such as free phone helplines and a text line.

NHS 24. Throughout this article, NHS 24 has been mentioned. It is Scotland’s provider of digital health and care services, which are delivered by phone and through a range of digital channels including online platforms. In addition to providing the 111 call services, NHS 24’s website offers:

A symptom checker that gives advice on medical conditions and what to do next (but does not replace a medical professional).
A directory of health care services that includes a defibrillator locator.
Links to Breathing Space and Living Life service, both of which offer help for those individuals over the age of 16 who are suffering from low mood, depression, and/or anxiety.
A link to NHS Inform, which is your national health information service that can inform you of the causes, symptoms, and treatments of illnesses and conditions. It offers self-care advice, provides a directory of health care services in Scotland, and gives advice and resources concerning mental health.

If you’d like to be proactive and learn how to treat minor injuries, consider taking a first-aid course delivered by Stewart First Aid Training (SFAT). Courses offered include Basic First Aid, Paediatric First Aid, Outdoor Emergency First Aid, and a range of HSE First Aid at Work courses. To sign up for any of these courses or any of the many other first-aid courses offered by SFAT, visit our website, call 0800 16 32 09, or send us a message by clicking “Enquire Here” on our website.

Above all, please call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have: