Winter Health Advice

There are a number of ways you can help, or alternative services you can access, to ease pressures on the hospital’s emergency services during bad weather:

Keep a well stocked medicine cabinet:

Self care is the best option when treating very minor illnesses and injuries which strike you down over the winter period.

NHS Direct:

A confidential health helpline available 24 hours a day, NHS Direct provides advice about different health conditions or ailments. Call 0845 4647 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Ask a local pharmacist for advice:

Your pharmacist can often advise on remedies for minor health problems, and can provide emergency contraception.

Out of hours GP:

When GP surgeries are closed, patients in the NHS Bath and North East Somerset area can contact the GP out of hours service for emergency advice on 01980 626226.

Bath NHS Healthcare Centre (The Riverside Walk-In Centre) :

The centre is on James Street West, Bath, BA1 2BT and is open to registered and unregistered patients with or without an appointment, 365 days per year between 8am – 8pm. Call 01225 478 811 or visit www.bathnhshealthcarecentre.nhs.uk. The centre offers treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, and can provide emergency contraception.

Paulton Community Hospital minor injuries unit:

Patients can receive treatment from a nurse for minor injuries such as cuts, bruises and sprains. The minor injuries unit at Paulton is open 24 hours a day seven days a week.
 
Emergency contraception:

Bath contraception and sexual health (CASH) clinic at the Riverside Walk-in Centre can provide emergency contraception, on 01225 474242 during opening hours. Contact the emergency ‘out of hours’ service on 01980 626226 for advice on where to obtain contraception. There is also a CASH clinic at Keynsham Health Clinic, telephone 0117 986 2423.
 
Emergency dental services:
Patients with a dental emergency who are unable to find a dentist, can ring the dental access service on 08451 206680.