August Bank Holiday - what to do if you are unwell

As the bank holiday approaches it is worth thinking about what you would do if you or a member of your family became unwell over the holiday period.  We recommend that you:-

• stock up on over the counter medicines.  Your pharmacist can also give you advice on treatments and products available.
• check you have enough prescription medicine to see you through the holidays and if you are going away pack enough for at least the duration of your holiday. 

If you need medical assistant when we are closed you can:

• phone NHS Direct for medical advice.  Their telephone number is 0845 4647
• pop in to your local pharmacy for advice and over the counter medication
• phone us on 01404 814447 if your problem is urgent.  Your call will be automatically transferred to the out of hours service (Devon Doctors on Call).  To avoid putting undue pressure on this service, please only phone  if your problem cannot wait until we reopen
• phone 999 immediately in the event of a life threatening, medical emergency

Please avoid using emergency/urgent services and hospital A&E departments for routine problems or for problems that can wait until we reopen

We are closed on Monday 26th August 2013 and reopen on Tuesday 27th August 2013.

Staff training

We will be closed between 1pm and 2pm today for staff training.  We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and for the short notice.  

Insect bite or sting - what to do

If you or someone you are with is experiencing a severe adverse reaction to a sting or bite eg they are having difficulty breathing or swallowing, please  telephone 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Treating insect bites and stings

Most bites and stings are treated by:

• washing the affected area with soap and water
• placing a cold compress (a flannel or cloth soaked in cold water) over the area to reduce swelling

Try not to scratch the affected area to avoid infection and if you are in pain or the area is swollen, take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

Your local pharmacy can advise you on over the counter medicines which may relieve pain and reduce swelling.

Should I see a nurse practitioner or doctor?

Please telephone us for advice if you have a lot of swelling and blistering, or if there is pus, which indicates an infection, or if you experience any of these symptoms

• wheezing or difficulty breathing
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• a fast heart rate
• dizziness or feeling faint
• difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
• confusion, anxiety or agitation

Devon Mental Health Joint Commissioning Strategy Consultation Event

Devon CCG and Devon County Council are running an engagement event to inform people about the new draft Mental Health Commissioning Strategy for Devon.  You will be able to comment and influence the final strategy.  You are warmly invited to attend if you are a person using mental health services or a carer of someone using mental health services and you live in the area covered by the NEW Devon CCG or you are a provider of or referrer to mental health services in the NEW Devon CCG area.

The focus of the event is adult mental health services and the strategy does not apply to older people's or dementia services.

Friday 23rd August 1400-1630 The ISCA Centre, Summer Lane, Whipton, Exeter EX4 8NT.  Places are limited if you would like to attend you will need to complete a booking form.  For more information please contact Be Involved Devon 01392 201218 or email enquiries@beinvolveddevon.org. uk

Save a Life, Give Blood

The next Give Blood sessions will be held on 28th August 1315 to 1530 and 1645 to 1930 at Ottery St Mary Football Club, Wasbrook Meadows, Butts Road, Ottery.  to make an appointment please call 0300 123 23 23.

Ottery St Mary Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)

From today Ottery Hospital Minor Injuries Unit will be closed for three months.  The practice will be providing a similar minor injuries service in Ottery between 0900 and 1300 Monday to Friday.  If you need to be seen outside these times, the nearest MIU is located in Honiton Hospital. Their current opening times are: Friday to Tuesday: 0730 to 2300 and Wednesday to Thursday 1000 to 1800.

Minor injuries are usually cuts, grazes, minor falls, animal bites, minor burns, bruising, sprains, strains, foreign bodies and minor bumps.

The symptoms for many minor illnesses can be helped or treated with products that can be purchased over the counter from your local pharmacy.  However if symptoms persist or get worse please telephone us.

The following web sites have symptom checkers  www.devondoctors.co.uk and  http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/

The following are not minor injuries:

999 emergencies
Severe airway or breathing problems
Actual or suspected overdose
Accidental ingestion, poisoning, fume or smoke inhalation
Blows to the head with loss of consciousness
Sudden collapse or fall
Penetrating eye injury
Chemical or biological contamination
Full thickness burns
Burns caused by electric shock
Severe lacerations and penetrating injuries
Trauma to hands, limbs or feet substantially affecting function

The closest accident and emergency unit, including Xray is located at the RD&E Hospital, Heavitree, Exeter. However if any injury or illness is life threatening you should dial 999 immediately.

If in doubt about where to be seen please telephone us on 01404 814447 for advice, or NHS Direct on 0845 4647.  After 1800 or before 0830 if you need a doctor and your problem cannot wait until we reopen, please phone us and hold while your call is transferred to Devon Doctors on Call.  Alternatively you can phone Devon Doctors direct on 0845 6710 270 or NHS Direct on 0845 4647

Emergency contraception - please contact us or call in as soon as possible.   If you are unable to get in to see us, or during weekends or bank holidays you can still  access free emergency contraception from Walk-In Centres, other Minor Injury Units, and some local pharmacies