Get the right help for your health needs

Published: 6 January 2023

The NHS is currently exceptionally busy caring for people, which means some people are waiting longer than usual to be seen.

NHS Devon, including South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, is appealing for people to choose the most appropriate service for their needs – to ensure people who need life-threatening and critical care can be treated as quickly as possible.

Their advice is:

• Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you come down with a winter bug and do not feel well enough to do your normal activities. Follow simple self-care tips from www.nhs.uk and family or friends can get good advice from the community pharmacy – a great first port of call.
• If you’re ill or injured, it’s not life threatening and you’re unsure where to turn, use 111 online or call 111 for advice. The 111 phone service can book you into NHS services if needed.
• Please do everything you can, as a relative or carer of someone in hospital, to work with NHS teams to get patients home from hospital as quickly and as safely as possible, with additional support if necessary, from your local NHS community services or adult social care teams.
• Wear a face mask in healthcare settings (unless exempt), wash your hands regularly and practice social distancing where possible.
• Boost your immunity – if you are eligible, get your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination without delay if you haven’t already.