Choose well to combat Easter illness

As the Easter holidays approach NHS Northamptonshire has issued a reminder of all the health services available across the county.
The NHS produced the following top tips ahead of the holidays:

• With the sun shining, remember to wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothes, drink regularly - even if you do not feel thirsty – water or fruit juice are best, and avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks
• Remember to put on your sunscreen with a SPF of at least 15 – and the higher the better. However, no sunscreen, whether it’s factor 15 or 50, will give the protection it claims unless you apply it properly, and no sunscreen can give 100 per cent protection. Sunscreen can easily be washed, rubbed or sweated off so reapply it frequently
• Don’t forget you can also speak to your local pharmacist, who can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints
• Injuries that give more cause for concern such as sprains, strains, minor burns and wounds can be treated at Northampton’s Minor Illness and Minor Injury Unit (MIaMI) at Highfield Clinical Care Centre, Cliftonville Road, Northampton NN1 5BD. Tel: 01604 745050. Open 8am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays)
• You can see a doctor or nurse every day between 8am and 8pm at the Lakeside Plus Walk-in Centre in Corby (same address as the Minor Injury Unit)
• If you need a GP outside of normal opening hours, you can contact the Out of Hours service on 03336 664 664. The service is available from 6.30pm to 8am on weekdays, and 24 hours a day at weekends and bank holidays. Further details are at www.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/choosewell_gpout_of_hours
• Accident & Emergency (A&E) is only for the most urgent care such as serious accidents or medical emergencies

The NHS advice is to seek assistance from  NHS Direct, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, whereeer possible. It can be contacted on 0845 46 47.

NHS Northamptonshire Chief Executive Joihn Parkes said: “The holidays are a fun time, but we know that there can be more bumps and grazes when children are out playing.

"Self-care is the first option if an injury is not obviously serious, so make sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked and secure.

"You can always call NHS Direct for advice and a pharmacist can advise on how to manage or treat something that doesn’t really need a doctor or nurse."

And a spokesman added: "Cuts, bruises, bumps and grazes are some of the most common occurrences when children are off school, most of which can be treated by self-care.
"It’s vital to make sure you choose the most appropriate NHS service so additional pressure is not put on our busy hospitals."

If you are not sure which service is right for you and you want further information about the options available, visit www.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/choosewell