NHS Still Here For You, No Matter What
04 May 2020
Events
Health leaders across mid and south Essex are reminding patients that GP services, pharmacies, NHS 111, out-of-hours services and emergency departments are all still available to patients.
Diane Sarkar, Chief Nursing Officer, Mid and South Essex NHS
Foundation Trust, said:
"Whilst it is really important to follow the government guidance
to stay home during this period, it can be confusing to know what
to do when you are feeling unwell.
"We need to ensure people are still accessing help, particularly
with serious illnesses as these conditions have not gone away just
because of coronavirus. NHS 111 online and by phone, hospitals and
GPs are still providing the same level of care they have always
done.
"It can be very dangerous to put off getting seen as you can put
yourself at risk of late diagnosis of things such as cancer, heart
attacks and stroke.
"We have noticed that children in particular seem to be
presenting less, and we are urging parents to make sure they are
using the right service for their child if they are displaying
worrying symptoms."
Access to your local GP may initially be by telephone as GP
practices are still advising patients to only attend in person if
they are specifically asked to. Surgeries across mid and south
Essex will be offering video and phone consultations for those who
are not asked to attend in person.
Patients should still dial 999 in the event of a
life-threatening emergency.
For further advice on how to best use the NHS visit nhs.uk.
Jennifer Marshall, Head of Nursing for Medicine from Mid and
South Essex NHS Foundation Trust has supported this campaign with a
short video which is being shared on social media - link below.
https://youtu.be/0YXF22SmdKE