PCT Newsletter regarding Using Local NHS Services

From 1st July 2005 people in North Oxfordshire will be able to access Out of Hours medical services by using a new telephone number.

The new number – 0845 345 8995 - is being used throughout Oxfordshire so that patients have a quick and easy way of accessing a doctor or nurse when their own GP practice is closed.

From 1st July 2005, if patients ring their GP surgery when it is closed - 6.30pm to 8am weekdays and all day at weekends and Bank Holiday - an answerphone message will give them the new number to call.

The North Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) Partnership (which provides local health services for people living within the area of Cherwell Vale PCT and North East Oxfordshire PCT), uses two companies for its Out of Hours services – Principle Medical, a company made up of local GPs and Serco, an independent healthcare provider.

Principal Medical have been providing weekend cover until 11pm and evening services – 6.30pm – 11pm - for Cherwell Vale PCT for the last 12 months and their services have been very popular with patients. As a result they will be providing evening services in North East Oxfordshire as well from 1st July.

Bicester GP Dr. John Galuszka said: “We are delighted that Principal Medical have agreed to extend their services to include North East Oxfordshire. Feedback from patients has been very good and the response times have been excellent. I am sure local people will notice a big difference.”

Serco will provide overnight medical cover from 11pm – 8am every day.

John Galuszka added: “Patients who call the new telephone number will speak to a call handler at Oxfordshire Ambulance Service and the information will be electronically transferred to doctors based in the outpatients department at the Horton General Hospital. The doctor will ring the patient and either arrange to see them or give them advice.”

The service will be provided by a team of doctors and nurses working alongside each other. John Galuszka said: “Often people need advice and reassurance in the evenings and overnight. Although we do have doctors available for patients who need them, we often find that with appropriate telephone advice we can resolve many problems, without the patient needing to travel to an Out of Hours Centre.”

To make the most of NHS health services and to get the best possible treatment, people have to initially make some assessment of the situation they are in.

The range of need can be very wide indeed and sometimes people can do a lot to help themselves. “We know that with a well stocked medicine cabinet a number of everyday illnesses and minor ailments can be treated at home. But there may be times when people need urgent medical attention. We want to help patients to access the services that they need quickly and locally wherever possible,” John Galuszka said.

Self Care and Pharmacies
Common ailments such as coughs, colds, sore throats, indigestion, toothache, headaches and constipation can often be helped by medicines and advice from a local pharmacist. Pharmacists can help you decide whether you need to see a doctor. You can talk to your pharmacist in confidence - even about the most personal symptoms and you don’t need to make an appointment.

NHS Direct
For confidential health advice and information 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. NHS Direct has become a first point of contact for patients seeking medical help outside normal surgery hours. Telephone lines are staffed by nurses and professional advisors who can offer you information on what to do if you or a family member feels ill. Call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Doctor
Your local Doctors surgery provides a wide range of services, including general medical advice and treatment, management of minor injuries, minor surgery, prescriptions; referral to a specialist or hospital (where appropriate); jabs and tests (such as immunisations, blood tests or cervical smears) and more besides.

Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)
Many people continue to go to hospital Emergency Departments even when they could be treated just as effectively and usually more quickly at a Minor Injuries Unit. Minor Injuries Units are for patients with less serious injuries, such as sprains, cuts and grazes. You do not need an appointment to visit a Minor Injuries Unit and in North Oxfordshire there is one at Bicester Community Hospital. It is open from 6pm – 11pm on weekdays and 8.30am – 11pm at weekends and on Bank Holidays.

Emergency Department
It is often very obvious when emergency care is needed for serious injury or illness. You should get medical attention by either taking the patient to the nearest Emergency department or by phoning 999 for an emergency ambulance. In North Oxfordshire we have an Emergency Department at the Horton Hospital and there is another at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

An emergency is 'a critical or life-threatening situation'. Here are some examples:

o Unconsciousness
o Heavy blood loss
o Suspected broken bones
o A deep wound such as a stab wound
o A suspected heart attack
o Difficulty in breathing
o Severe burns
o Severe allergic reaction

Monitoring has shown that sometimes people go to hospital unnecessarily because they are unsure how to access local services or how to use them.

The North Oxfordshire PCT Partnership wants to help local people understand how the NHS works for them so that when they need help they can access the services they need as quickly and effectively as possible.

For more information about this press release please contact Heather Barnett, Communications Manager, North Oxfordshire PCT Partnership, on 07900 915334.