Help Us Help You - summer surge campaign

With lockdown restrictions due to end on Monday 19 July, many of us are more likely than ever to be out and about having fun. It’s the start of the summer school break and day trips may be planned to visitor attractions across Kent and Medway, as well as family visits to the beach if the weather is hot and sunny.

It’s also a time to think about how we use NHS services and making sure we are doing so in the best way to help everyone. Accidents, minor illnesses and a range of other health needs happen to us every day and there are many ways you can seek help for your healthcare:

Please remember:

• Make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet as many injuries may not need an NHS service at all.
• Pharmacists can offer free advice on minor illnesses and you don’t need to make an appointment.
• If you need urgent medical help, but it is not a life-threatening emergency, you can call the free NHS 111 phone service or go to NHS 111 online
• Urgent treatment centres can be found across Kent and Medway; you can call NHS 111 for an appointment at one.
• Leave emergency departments for people who need them.

This summer, we are asking you to help us help you by making sure you know all the available options for healthcare, so you can make the right choice for you and your family.

If you are a social media user, please look out for our posts encouraging people to find the care they need, when they need it and share them if you wish. Working together, we can make sure that everyone knows how they can access support in the best way. You will also find lots of information on the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group website