News

GP collective action to take place across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin 

Dear colleagues and stakeholders,  

 With news that General Practice (GP) nationwide are taking collective action from Thursday 1 August 2024, health leaders from across the local health and care system are asking the public to continue to come forward for care as usual. 
Although not classed as industrial (strike) action, GP collective action is anticipated to disrupt services within General Practice and across the wider health system, including hospital services and community pharmacy. 

Partners across the Integrated Care System (ICS) are working closely together to manage the situation and respond accordingly. We would like to reassure patients and residents that we will be monitoring the situation closely so that every step can be taken to ensure care continues to be delivered safely and that patient needs continue to be met. 

Important information for all patients: 

As has been shared publicly, patients are advised that General Practices across the county are still open and seeing patients, however some may be directing patients to other local health services. Appointments can still be booked through GP practices and all patients are advised to still attend a scheduled healthcare appointment unless otherwise advised.  
We are also asking patients to please continue to use the healthcare service which best suits your needs, including NHS 111 online or call 111 for urgent health advice as normal. More details, that can be shared on patients-facing platforms, are included below.  

To find out which service is right for you, you can also refer to the following guidance for help and advice: Think Which Service.  

If you need urgent medical advice, and it’s not an emergency, please visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 from any landline or mobile phone. For life threatening emergencies, dial 999.  

How you can help the local healthcare system: 
 

• NHS 111 online can tell you where to get help for your symptoms if you’re not sure what to do, how to find general health information and advice, where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine and how to get a repeat prescription. You can also call NHS 111 to speak to a clinician and make bookings for urgent treatment centres and other services. The online and telephone services are available 24/7. 
• Minor Injury Units are here to help with injuries that need attention urgently but are not critical or life threatening, including cuts, sprains, and rashes. The units are staffed by Registered Nurses. There are four Minor Injury Units in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin: 
   

o        Bridgnorth Community Hospital 

o        Ludlow Community Hospital 

o        Whitchurch Community Hospital 

o        Oswestry Health Centre 

• Urgent Treatment Centres treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. We have UTCs at both hospital sites (Royal Shrewsbury Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital, Telford) within our Emergency Departments. They are open from 9am - 9pm seven days a week. 
• Anyone who is in mental health distress should call the Mental Health Crisis Line: 0808 196 4501 – the helpline is open 24 hours a day. 
• Community Pharmacists are experts in medicine who can help you with minor health concerns. As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains. If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need and can signpost you to an appropriate NHS service. Find a pharmacy near you: Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk) 

Your local pharmacist may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to another healthcare professional if needed. Conditions they can treat as part of this service are: 

·                     earache (aged 1 to 17 years) 

·                     impetigo (aged 1 year and over) 

·                     infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over) 

·                     shingles (aged 18 years and over) 

·                     sinusitis (aged 12 years and over) 

·                     sore throat (aged 5 years and over) 

·                     urinary tract infections or UTIs (women aged 16 to 64 years) 

More information on the GP collective action can be found here: GP collective action across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin - NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin (shropshiretelfordandwrekin.nhs.uk)  

Don’t let the Scammer ruin your holiday

Scammers can operate all around the world. So, it’s important to keep your card and card details safe when travelling. International card fraud losses for 2023 were £134.5 million.

 BEFORE YOU GO OVERSEAS:

• Make sure your card company has your up-to-date contact details.
• Ensure you have your card company’s 24-hour telephone number with you in case you need to contact them.
• Only take cards you intend to use, leave the others securely at home.

WHEN YOU ARE OVERSEAS:

• Don’t let your card out of sight, especially at restaurants and bars.
• Don’t give your PIN to anyone, even if they claim to be the police or your card company.
• Shield your PIN when typing it in.
• Check your bank transactions when you can to see if there’s anything unfamiliar.
• Look after all your other belongings like passports, wallets, purses, travel and ticket information.

WHEN YOU GET BACK:

• Check your bank and card statements for any unfamiliar transactions. If you do spot any, report them to your bank immediately.

SOURCE: TAKEFIVE

IF YOU THINK YOU ARE BEING SCAMMED

OR DO NOT RECOGNISE THE CONTACT

Take Five to Stop Fraud

• STOP: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
• CHALLENGE: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
• PROTECT: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam

             and report it to Action Fraud

If you’ve fallen for a scam, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Scam Text messages can be forwarded to 7726 to help phone providers take early action and block numbers that generate spam on their networks. Scam mobile calls can also be forwarded to 7726, followed by the word “CALL”, then the scam phone number

Forward Fake Emails received to report@phishing.gov.uk

For further information visit:

https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/    https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/