Know before you go – How your local Pharmacist can help

As winter approaches, getting the right health care means making sure you go to the right place, such as pharmacies, optometrists and dentists. NHS Western Isles is reminding patients and carers that their local pharmacy is often the fastest way to get the expert help needed, especially for colds and flu, skin conditions, stomach upsets, diarrhoea, earache or a sore throat.

Pharmacists are experts in their field and can help with a wide range of everyday conditions. In addition to giving patients access to the right care, and being closer to home, there is no appointment needed to speak with a pharmacist – and it is a much faster route you can choose for yourself.

If you feel unwell you should check NHS Inform (www.nhsinform.scot) symptom checkers 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.

However, if you have an illness you are struggling to get rid of, please 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.

Furthermore, to help patients get access to the correct and most appropriate care quickly and safely, the local Right Care, Right Place website is available offering a wealth of information at www.wihb.scot.nhs.uk/right-care-right-place.

This includes when to contact NHS 24 or 999, when to use the Virtual Emergency Department, contacts for mental health, how to contact the Western Isles Emergency Social Work Service, where to get help for addictions, and who to contact about sexual health.

Individuals should only call 999 or go directly to Accident and Emergencyfor critical, life-threatening emergencies, such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, or major trauma. Being aware of how and when to access services for non-urgent health concerns is crucial to helping protect local Accident and Emergency departments which, in turn, help to shorten waiting times for the sickest patients attending.