Choose well to get well this Easter

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A leading GP has urged people to choose the right care at the right time this Easter and leave staff free to deal with life-threatening emergencies.

The plea was made this week by Dr Paul Bowen, GP with McIlvride Medical Practice, Poynton and chair of NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which plans and buys most of the area's health services.

Dr Bowen said that figures from East Cheshire NHS Trust revealed that more than 3,300 people who visited A&E at Macclesfield District General Hospital between November 2014 and February 2015 needed no treatment apart from information and advice.

If those people had treated themselves or visited their pharmacist, it would have cost the NHS around £50,000 less - enough money to pay the salaries of two newly-qualified nurses.

He pointed out that most of the area's 22 GP surgeries would be closed from Good Friday (1 April) to Easter Monday (4 April). Therefore, it was important for patients to re-stock their medicine cabinets if needed, and order any necessary repeat prescriptions.

Dr Bowen added: "If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period. Making sure you have the right medicines in the first place could make all the difference when it comes to keeping well this Easter.

"For those with long-term health problems, taking daily medication is an important part of their treatment, and many are at risk of suffering serious attacks or hospitalisation if medical supplies run out.

"If you become unwell over Easter and need advice or medical treatment quickly, you should call NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By calling NHS 111 you will be assessed, given advice and directed straightaway to the local service that can best meet your needs."

He added that common ailments like coughs, colds and sore throats were often best treated at home with readily-available medicines such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Therefore, it was important to make sure the medicine cabinet was well stocked with over-the-counter medicines.

For lots of sound advice visit the NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group website and search for "Choose Well" and "Think Pharmacy."

Tags:
NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG, NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group
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