Get the Right Treatment
Every year, millions of us visit our GP with minor health problems that can be easily resolved without a doctor's appointment.
It is estimated that every year, 50 million visits to the GP are made for minor ailments such as coughs and colds, mild eczema, and athlete's foot. By visiting your pharmacy instead, you could save yourself time and trouble.
Your Local Pharmacist
Pharmacists offer professional free health advice at any time - you don't need an appointment. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses. They can answer questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Your local Pharmacist can also advise on healthy eating.
Pharmacists can also advise on health eating, obesity and giving up smoking. Some pharmacists have private areas where you can talk in confidence. They may suggest you visit your GP for more serious symptoms. It is possible to purchase many medicines from the chemist without a prescription. Watch this short video on how you can get the most out of your local pharmacy
Camborne Redruth Hospital Walk-In Centre
NHS Walk-In Centres offer convenient access to a range of NHS services. You can receive treatment for many ailments including:
- infection and rashes,
- fractures and lacerations,
- emergency contraception and advice,
- stomach upsets,
- cuts and bruises, or
- burns and strains.
Camborne Redruth Community Hospital Walk In Service is our nearest walk in centre. They are open from 0800-2200 7 days a week, including bank holidays. Telephone: 01209 318022.
You do not need to pre book an appointment to see a Doctor or Nurse
Minor Injuries Unit - Falmouth
Open every week day from 0800 - 2000, the Minor Injuries Unit at Falmouth Hospital should be the first point of contact for wide variety of injuries, from sprains to fractures.
Accident & Emergency (A&E)
Major A&E departments assess and treat patients who have serious injuries or illnesses. Generally, you should visit A&E or call 999 for emergencies, such as:
- loss of consciousness,
- pain that is not relieved by simple analgesia,
- acute confused state,
- persistent, severe chest pain, or
- breathing difficulties.
If you're injured or seriously ill, you should go, or be taken, to A&E. If an ambulance is needed you can call 999, the emergency phone number in the UK. You can also dial 112, which is the equivalent for the European Union.
Major A&E departments offer access 365 days a year and usually open 24 hours a day. Be aware that not all hospitals have an A&E department.
ANY QUALIFIED PROVIDER 'AQP'
Whenever patients need to be referred to consultants or clinical specialists, a chat with your GP is needed to get the ball rolling. However, a new service has been introduced this year called ‘Any Qualified Provider’ (AQP).
A brief description of AQP:
The government is using this process to offer patients more choice and improve access whilst still providing high quality care. A number of different NHS services are part of AQP and Cornwall/Southwest has four options;
MSK - Physiotherapy for Neck & Back
Audiology - Hearing tests/Hearing aids
IAPT - Talking/Counselling sessions
Non-obstetric Ultrasounds and MRI
AQP has already been introduced in your area you now have a choice of who you wish to visit for the above services. Each local area will be different, offering you a different selection of service providers. These might include:
Hospital
GP surgeries Health Centres
High street hearing aid dispensing chains (e.g. Specsavers and Boots)
Charities (e.g. Action for Deafness)
Regardless of which service provider you choose to receive your care will still be free of charge to you as an NHS patient.
Local authorities have recently replaced your local Primary Care Trust (PCT) with Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG). It is the responsibility of the CCG to advise GPs about who is suitable to be referred to services using the AQP route. For example, a person with multiple disabilities who requires a more complex assessment will be referred to the local NHS hospital.