Accident and Emergency (A&E) or Emergency Department (ED) as it is also known provides 24hr emergency care and treatment for all illnesses and injuries. There is a specific paediatric service, and daytime minor injuries and dressings clinics available.
We want you to get the best possible service from your local NHS and feel confident that we are here for you when you need us. Our ED is busy and sees a range of illnesses and injuries; however, we would like to remind you of some of the alternative services available that might be more convenient for you and more appropriate for your condition.
If you are feeling unwell and are unsure where to go for treatment ring 111 for free from a landline or mobile phone. You can also go to 111 online or the NHS website.
NHS 111 is available to make it easier and quicker for you to get the right advice or treatment you need, be that for your physical or mental health, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Clinicians, such as nurses, doctors, pharmacists and paramedics, now play an important role in NHS 111 and will be available to give you the advice you need without using another service, such as your GP or the Emergency Department.
You will be surprised by the amount of minor health concerns you can manage by yourself successfully with advice either from NHS 111 or by visiting a pharmacy for treatment advice.
Pharmacies can help with:
- advice & tips around self-care
- cold and flu symptoms
- stomach upsets
- sore throats
- backache
- minor sports injuries
- skin conditions
- allergies
Remember, for minor eye complaints, a local optician may be able to help.
If a pharmacist or optician cannot treat your ailment, you should contact your GP practice or if you have not already done so, get in touch with NHS 111.
GP practices across Tameside are open and are flexible, they can arrange appointments in the neighbourhood hubs outside of typical working hours in the Primary Care Access Service (PCAS). There are a range of professions in practices who can carry out assessments and provide advice or treatment for persistent coughs (over 10 days), severe headaches, earache, backache, sprains, minor injuries, and other concerning symptoms. Let us reassure you that practices in Tameside will be able to accommodate you and help you get an appointment to see the most appropriate profession, including a GP if necessary.
If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical condition, contact NHS 111 as they are able to book an appointment to be seen in the best possible service. The majority of the time, your call will come through to the Digital Health Team at Tameside Hospital. You will be assessed over the telephone by the team and they will direct you to the service most appropriate to your needs, this may even be close to home, at one of the neighbourhood hubs, a pharmacy or another more appropriate local service, or may be at the Emergency Department, an urgent treatment centre or emergency dental services. NHS 111 can also send an ambulance should a condition be serious or life-threatening. Having an appointment booked via NHS 111 means that you have access to all of our healthcare services and so you will be seeing the right professional for your condition in a timely way that suits you.
Unsure which service is best for you? Read the Get To Know Where To Go leaflet, which provides a full guide of all available health services and which one may be the most appropriate for your symptoms or condition.
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