How can you help when our hospital is busy?

Our Emergency Department continues to experience high demand and together with the impact of colder weather and respiratory illness, this means you may be waiting longer to be seen if your condition is not an emergency.

Our teams are working hard to prioritise patients by clinical need and we're asking for your help to use the right service for your needs.

Please consider these options to access healthcare:

	Self-care Minor issues like grazes, sore throat and colds. Visit nhs.uk for self-care advice.
	Pharmacy Your local pharmacy can help with minor illness or injury, and offer prescription medicine for some common conditions without a GP appointment.
	NHS 111 For urgent medical help or if you're not sure what to do, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
	GP Contact your GP if you have symptoms that won't go away.
	Minor Injury Unit Urgent but not life-threatening injuries, such as sprains, burns or minor head injuries. Find your local Minor Injury Unit.
	Urgent Care at the RUH Urgent but not life-threatening injuries and illness, such as broken bones, burns or wounds.
	RUH Emergency Department or 999 For life-threatening emergencies and serious injuries, always call 999 or come to A&E.

Dentists

If you think you need urgent dental treatment, contact your dentist. If you cannot contact your dentist or don't have one, use the NHS 111 service. If needed, urgent appointments will be arranged at an out of hours service.

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