1. Hodge Hill Family Practice Getting the right treatment in the right place

2. Minor Ailment For Example… DiarrhoeaRunny Nose HeadachePainful Cough Go to your local pharmacist or ask someone to go for you. Your local pharmacist can give you advice or common ailments and the medicines you need to treat them. Many pharmacies are open on Sundays and some late evening.

3. In Need of Advice Are you… UnwellUnsureConfused Need Help Contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.ukwww.nhsdirect.nhs.uk. NHS Direct offers confidential health advice and information 24 hours a day. Contact NHS direct if you have any questions about your health. The service can also help you to make the right health choice and find health services in your local area.

4. Very Minor Illness and Injuries For Example… GrazesSore Throat CoughHangover Self-care is the best choice for treating very minor illnesses and injuries. Be prepared by keeping a stock of essential medicines including painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medicine, oral rehydration mixture and indigestion remedy, as well as plasters, antiseptic cream and a thermometer.

5. Please help to reduce Accident and Emergency attendance’s In order to do this you can visit Walk in Centres or urgent Care Centres who are able to treat many illnesses and injuries in a more convenient environment.

6. Life threatening and severe Illness Injury For example... Choking Blacking out Chest pain Serious Injury Heavy Blood Loss Fits Non-Urgent Illness or Minor Injury For Example… Cuts Vomiting Earache BackacheStrains & Sprains

7. Contact your GP the phone line are available to cal from:- 8:00am – 6:30pm Tues / Wed / Fri 8:00am – 8:00pm Mon/Thurs 9:00am – 2:00pm Sat You can book an appointment up to 6 weeks in advance we also have 24hr, 48hr and same day appointments availability plus telephone consultation with the Doctor or Nurse. Or You can visit ……the surgery

8. Urgent Care Centre 65 Clodeshall Road Washwood Heath Birmingham B8 3SG Tel: 0121 322 4310

9. Erdington Walk in Centre 196 High Street Erdington Birmingham B23 6SJ Tel: 0345 245 0769

10. PLEASE CHOOSE WELL For fast, effective, expert health treatment or advice go to the right place, Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services come under enormous pressure due to patients not choosing the appropriate service wisely. Sometimes it is better to see a GP or pharmacist or call the NHS helpline.

11. Cont:- This leaflet will help you decide if you need medical attention where to go and what each NHS service does and when it should be used. Choosing well means you will get the most appropriate treatment it will also reduce A&E attendances to help the people who needs it the most.

12. A&E CHARGES Each visit you make to A&E it cost the practice £90.00 per patient just to walk in. The longer you spend at A&E the cost increases. Admission to A&E cost the practice £400 per patient. Please contact your GP before you decide to visit A&E. THINK FIRST BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO ATTEND A&E 28/12/2012