NHS Yellow Men

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The NHS have been running some important national intiatives to cut down on the inappropriate use of their services. It is important to remeber the NHS 111 telephone number, for non-emergency issues.  

We love 'our' NHS, and the great work the doctors, nurses and all the support staff do. As we intend working with the NHS much more in the future we thought we would introduce you to this intiative in Colchester.  

Do see the video below:

Doctors urge local people to use pharmacists more as ‘yellow men’ visit Colchester

Local people across north east Essex are being encouraged to make greater use of pharmacies for the treatment of minor illness, and to avoid using A&E except for life-threatening emergencies.

Doctors at the NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) say that during the winter, hospital emergency departments and local GPs are under significant pressure with people coming in with coughs and colds. 

They add that a lot of that pressure could be relieved if people use pharmacies more.

Their calls come as a group of yellow men visited Lion Walk in Colchester on Thursday 18 December to highlight the alternatives to going to A&E.

These seven-foot tall ‘yellow men’ depict a range of illnesses and injuries and are part of the CCG’s winter campaign to help people get the best out of the NHS.

Dr Hasan Chowhan from the CCG explained: “I would urge everyone to consider visiting their local pharmacist for advice or treatment for minor ailments such as coughs or colds. 

“You may be seen faster and get the treatment you need at the pharmacy. In some other parts of Europe, pharmacies are very well used in this way and I believe if we all considered using our local pharmacists the NHS would work better for us as patients.”

Dr Chowhan added: “In addition to pharmacists, there are other alternatives to A&E and we want people to use the most appropriate service available, including looking after yourself at home where possible, stocking up on appropriate medicines or if in doubt by calling NHS 111 for advice. Trained advisors there will assess your symptoms, and direct you to the most appropriate healthcare service.

“A&E should only be for people with serious and life-threatening emergencies and we hope that these yellow men will grab people’s attention.”

For those in sunny Colchester only: 

There are a number of other services locally where you can get help quickly:

North Colchester Walk-in centre, Colchester Primary Care Centre, Turner Road, Colchester, telephone 01206 314015 – This is a GP-led service providing treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, no appointment is necessary.  Please note that  X-ray facilities are available on site from 9am to 4.30pm.  The Walk in Centre is open from 7am until 10pm seven days a week.

Clacton Minor Injury Unit, Clacton Hospital, Tower Road, telephone 01255 201594 – This is a nurse-led service providing treatment for minor injuries, eg cuts, sprains and fractures.  Open from 9am until 9pm seven days a week.

Harwich Minor Injury Unit, Fryatt Hospital, Main Road, Dovercourt, telephone 01255 201226 - This is a nurse-led service providing treatment for minor injuries, e.g cuts, sprains and fractures.  Open from 9am until 5pm seven days a week.

Posters on buses and advertising and reminder leaflets will be used to remind people that the NHS 111 number is also available in our area.