As health services enter their busiest period, local GPs call on Powys residents to support our local ambulance service and only call 999 in an emergency.
The ambulance service exists to help people who are seriously ill or injured or where there is an immediate threat to their life. That’s people who’ve stopped breathing, people with chest pain or breathing difficulties, loss of consciousness, choking, severe allergic reactions, catastrophic bleeding or having a stroke.
We all need to think carefully before we call 999 as we enter the busy winter period, as the time they spend dealing with non-essential calls could be time spent helping someone in a life or death situation.
Every single one of us has a responsibility to use NHS services wisely and to protect them for those who need them most – one day that could be your child, parent, partner or even you.
Winter is traditionally the most challenging period. We’re asking everyone to educate themselves on the NHS services available in our area.
Ensure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet for things that can be treated at home, like coughs and colds, sore throats and grazed knees.
The NHS’s 111 service should be the first port of call for non-emergency health advice, advice on which services to use, information on managing an illness or condition and accessing primary care out of hours.
PAVO and the health board are spreading their message of "help us help you this winter, and think twice before calling 999".
Gareth Ratcliffe Health Promotions Facilitator said: “I have experience of having an ill loved one who needed assistance one evening.
"We called 111 and were supported by an excellent phone technician who was able to give us advice over the phone that was reassuring. They sent out Shropdoc to make an assessment and a prescription was given.
"We could have easily called 999 but by calling 111 we got the correct support and advice that ensured we did not have to visit the hospital and were able to have treatment at home.”
The 111 service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you can access it by calling 111 or visiting the website at 111.NHS.uk