With the cold weather well and truly upon us and a long way to go before spring, we’ve put together some advice and guidance to help you if you are feeling unwell.
We can all fall ill or have an accident at any time. This information aims to help you understand which services are available and when you should use them.
Remember that A&E stands for “accident and emergency”. Please don’t use it for anything else.
If you feel unwell, talk to your GP or someone at your GP out-of-hours service, who should be able to help.
Don’t forget that local pharmacists (see link on top right hand side of this page) can help with advice and treatment for a range of common minor ailments, and they can often see you more quickly than if you go to your GP or the A&E department. A number of pharmacies offer services outside normal opening hours.
NHS Direct (opens in new window) is available all day every day to provide advice and guidance if you are feeling under the weather.
If you do need to come into the Emergency Unit at the University Hospital of Wales, please don’t bring the whole family with you if you can avoid it.
We deal with hundreds of people every day who need help, so we need to make sure we can care for them appropriately. At busy times, seating can be at a premium so please try to bring only one person with you if you need support.
If you have a routine appointment at one of our hospitals and are unable to make it for any reason, please let us know by ringing the number shown on your letter.
Finally, please take care (opens in new window) during cold weather. Always wear appropriate footwear and clothing and make sure your car is in good order.
If you are travelling by public transport, check your journey before you leave. And don’t forget to be a good neighbour and help friends or family who may need extra support in the winter.
