Choosing the Right Care, First Time will keep A&E free for emergencies

One in four people attending A&E could receive the same care from an alternative community service

Almost 230,000 people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire attended the area’s main A&E units during 2015/16. Of these, one in four (nearly 58,000) were not admitted and received guidance or advice that could have been delivered via an alternative service.

It's a similar story at Weston General Hospital, with one if three people visiting our A&E for minor ailments such as tooth pain and headaches when they could have been seen elsewhere.

We’re now asking for your help to keep our A&E free for those with life-threatening or urgent illnesses and injuries who need us.

We're also supporting a region wide campaign called 'Right Care, First Time'. The campaign aims to cut the numbers of attendances at A&E with minor injuries or illnesses by raising awareness of the alternative options that are available.

Our campaign will help you make the right choice about where to go for health advice or the right treatment if you or a loved one, falls ill or is injured.

We hope that directing you to the most appropriate service for your needs, it will allow you to access treatment more quickly, while also reducing burden on overworked A&E departments like Weston.

What you can do to help

There are a range of options and even a smartphone app to help you find the right care:

Self-care is often the best choice for minor injuries and illnesses. Coughs, colds and small cuts or grazes can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest
Pharmacies can advise on common illnesses such as diarrhoea, headaches, coughs and colds and particularly for the over-60s can help to prevent minor illnesses becoming more serious. Click HERE for details
NHS 111 is the 24-hour advice and information line for when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 provides advice and help on non-emergency injuries or illness, and calls are free
GP out-of-hours services are available for when you need GP advice but your local surgery is closed. Call NHS 111 for information
NHS minor injuries units are open for advice and treatment in Clevedon and Bristol. See www.northsomersetccg.nhs.uk for details or call NHS 111
Download the free HANDi app for expert advice on common childhood illnesses

Please rethink how you use our busy A&E department - it’s primarily for serious conditions. Many patients can be treated elsewhere. A&E and 999 should only be used for people who are seriously ill or badly injured.

By choosing the Right Care, First Time, you can help relieve pressure on our busy emergency services while also saving yourself a lengthy wait at A&E – because urgent, life-threatening cases always get priority over minor injuries or illnesses.