Getting the right care for you

At this time of year, getting the right health care means making sure you go to the right place, which doesn’t necessarily mean attending your GP practice or hospital Emergency Department. To help recognise the correct or alternative health care routes, which may be more convenient, closer to home – and often with no waiting time or appointment needed, NHS Western Isles has today launched its Right Care, Right Place website at www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/right-care-right-place 

The website is packed full of useful information and support to ensure you choose the right option for a variety of conditions.  This includes from what to do for a minor illness or injury, to when to visit a GP, dentist, pharmacist or optician.  

Also featured is when to call NHS 24, contacts for mental health, how to contact the Western Isles Emergency Social Work Service, where to get help for addictions, COVID-19 and what to do if you are symptomatic, and who to contact about sexual health. 

Other useful advice is provided on when to use the virtual Emergency Department or visit the Emergency Department, and when to call 999, 

Useful tips this winter 

Firstly, if you feel unwell you should check NHS Inform (www.nhsinform.scot) for advice. Self-care is the best option when you have a minor illness, and a well-stocked medicine cabinet can make sure you get the right treatment when you need it most. Your local pharmacist can help with common problems such as coughs, colds, headaches, sore throats and upset stomachs, and you don’t need an appointment. 

If you have an illness you can’t get rid of, contact your GP surgery – or if it’s outside normal hours, during the evening or weekend, you should contact NHS 24 by telephoning 111, who will be able to arrange an appointment for you if needed. 

Our Virtual Emergency Department (otherwise known as the Flow Navigation Centre) is for urgent but non-life threatening injuries or illnesses, for when you feel you need to attend an Emergency Department but it’s not life-threatening.  To use this service, which operates seven days a week and covers the whole of the Western Isles, call NHS 24 on 111 to access it. 

It is important to note that local Emergency Departments are for the most serious incidents such as strokes, heart attacks or serious head injuries. If you think something is life-threatening, call 999. 

By getting the right care for you, you’ll not only get the appropriate care safely and quickly, but you will help protect your local Emergency Department from being overwhelmed at what can be their busiest time of the year. 

If we all use NHS services wisely, we can keep well this winter and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.