COPPULL MEDICAL PRACTICE
PATIENT INFORMATION
LEAFET
A guide to using
emergency care services
Why do patients need guidance on attending
emergency care services?
Studies have demonstrated that a significant proportion of
A&E attendances are for conditions that could be better
managed in the community by the patient, their GP or
another member of the primary care team.
Visits to A&E in the North West cost the NHS approximately
£900,000 per day. One in every four people who attended could
have been treated elsewhere or could have treated themselves.
The government is working with local clinical commissioning
groups to reduce avoidable use of emergency care services.
Coppull Medical Practice is working closely with the
Chorley & South Ribble clinical commissioning group
to try and reduce avoidable use of emergency care services
amongst our patient population.
Reducing pressure on local emergency services will help to
improve patient experience for those in need of emergency care
and valuable NHS resources can be used more appropriately.
available routine appointment, you should ask the receptionist for
an urgent appointment, this usually means that you are
seen the same day. It is advisable to contact the surgery
as soon as possible to arrange an urgent appointment.
Your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment
for a range of common ailments and complaints, without having to wait to
see a doctor or go to A&E.
NHS choices
NHS choices is a dedicated website where you can find up to date
advice on a range of illnesses and complaints, as well as find your
nearest NHS services.
www.nhs.uk
Chorley Medics GP out of hours service
This service is for urgent medical problems that arise when our surgery is
closed. You should only attend this service if your problem genuinely cannot
wait until your doctor’s surgery is open. It should not be used as a substitute
for attending your own GP practice because you work during surgery
opening. Thursday 1.00pm – 6.30pm call 01257 418010, at all other times
when the surgery is closed call 111.
Which service should you use?
Self care
A range of common ailments such as coughs, colds, stomach
upsets, sore throats and aches and pains can be treated by over
the counter medicines from your pharmacy and plenty of rest.
GP Practice
The practice has urgent appointments
available for a doctor or practice nurse every day between
Monday & Friday. If you feel you need to see a clinician for a
medical condition or minor injury that cannot wait until the next
NHS111
This is a free service, available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. It offers help
and advice for when it’s not a 999 emergency, but you need help or
advice fast.
A&E
A&E departments should only be used for accidents and emergencies
that are serious and require emergency medical attention. A&E should
never be used as a substitute for going to your doctors surgery.
999
The 999 ambulance service should only be used in a critical or
life-threatening situation.