HEALTH services are ready to meet Easter Bank Holiday demand – but are asking people to think about where they get their medical help.

Somerset GPs, pharmacists, 111 helpline staff, minor injury unit’s emergency nurse practitioners, district hospital Accident and Emergency doctors and 999 ambulance paramedics are reminding the public to help themselves and the NHS over next month’s April Bank Holiday weekend and be sure to choose the right health service for their level of illness or injury.

Health and social care services across Somerset and the South West have just experienced one of the busiest winters on record treating patients with threatening injuries and admitting many more frail elderly patients into hospital.

But a staggering one-in-five patients will still go to a main A&E department with only minor ailments that could be been treated themselves or with advice from their local pharmacist.

The medical director at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Dr Colin Close, said: “As the Easter bank holidays approach, it is important to remind our local community to only use their emergency department if they are seriously unwell or critically injured.

“This allows us to treat the very sick people who need our care the most.

“With the right advice and information, many minor ailments can be treated effectively at home or by seeking advice from your local pharmacist, who can offer guidance on over the counter medication.

“However, it is important to follow the instructions carefully and telephone your GP surgery if your symptoms fail to improve after a couple of days.”

South Western Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust’s deputy clinical director, Adrian South, said: “It’s time to call 999 for an ambulance if someone’s life may be in danger.

“This might be a condition like severe chest pain, shortness of breath, unconsciousness or following a serious road traffic collision or injury with uncontrollable bleeding.

“Every time an ambulance is sent to a call which is not an emergency, it may delay our response to patients who are severely ill or injured; those cases where every second counts.

“If you need quick advice but it’s not an emergency telephone the free, 24-hour NHS 111 helpline.”

Chard Community Hospital has a minor injury unit which is available for people to use, but hospital A&E departments such as at Yeovil and Musgrove and 999 ambulance services should only be used for life threatening and emergency conditions.