Hopwood Medical Centre
1-3 Walton Street
Hopwood
Heywood
Lancashire
OL10 2BS
Tel: 01706603420

Dear Patient,

As you are aware from recent media reports, A&E departments are under severe pressure and as a result GP surgeries are trying to reduce attendances to Accident and Emergency (A&E). 
We note that you recently attended A&E and we would like to provide you with some useful information on what to do when your GP surgery is closed as we are aware this can be confusing. The information leaflet provided will hopefully raise awareness of alternatives to A&E within the area such as Extended Hours service to see a GP during the evenings and weekends, NHS 111, and local pharmacists.

Many thanks.

Mrs A. Hardacre
Practice Manager 

IMPORTANT ABOUT CHANGES TO WHO YOU SEE
 
PHARMACY - MINOR CONDITIONS
Patients in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale are now being asked to visit their pharmacy, not GP surgery, for minor conditions for the below symptoms:

Allergic Rash, Bites & Stings  	Athletes Foot			Atopic Eczema 
Contact Dermatitis			Constipation			Mouth Ulcers 
Nappy Rash 				Pain (inc Teeth)		Threadworm		
Oral Thrush 				Vaginal Thrush 		Diarrhoea
Dry Eyes 				Ear Wax			Otitis Externa   
Fever					Headlice 			Indigestion 

PHARMACY FIRST 
Pharmacists are able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine (antibiotics) for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First). Conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First 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)
If you go to a pharmacy with one of these conditions, the pharmacist will offer you advice, treatment or refer you to a GP or other healthcare professional if needed.  They will then update your GP health record.

HEYWOOD EXTENDED ACCESS
You can Book to see a GP or Practice Nurse, evenings, weekends and on Bank Holidays.  To make an appointment please contact the practice.

FAMILY PLANNING 
Clinics Provided:
Counselling Service	 for all forms of Contraception	Emergency Contraception
Cervical Cytology		Pregnancy Testing		Screening for Sexually Transmitted Diseases
To book an appointment telephone:  0300 303 8565 (over 19yrs of age)

OPTICIANS - MINOR EYE CONDITIONS SERVICE 
If you have a red, sore, uncomfortable eye or sudden disturbance of your vision please contact any of the below Opticians and they will be able to help:
•	DG Opticians – 7 Hornby Street, Heywood.  Tel: 01706 369525
•	The Eye Centre – 58 Market Street, Heywood.   Tel: 01706 620432
•	Shaws Opticians – 39 Market Street, Heywood. Tel: 01706 369369

DENTAL SERVICES PLEASE CONTACT 
If you need help with an urgent dental problem, call our Urgent Dental Care Service on 0333 332 3800, available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays
PHYSIO DIRECT - (Musculoskeletal problems- Back, neck painful joints, soft tissue sprains and strains, sport injuries and postural problems.)
Not to be referred: 
•	under the age of 18 
•	Back Pain and is causing problems with the bladder or bowels
•	Weight loss
•	Dizziness, hearing loss, blackouts or falls
•	undergoing treatment for cancer or previously suffered from cancer 
•	Neurological, breathing or continence problems 
To make a referral a form can be collected from the surgery or if you have access to the internet this form may be completed online at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/physiodirect

PODIATRY DIRECT (Foot Problems)
Do not refer if 
•	under the age4 of 16
•	Nail cutting, skin care including corns and callus in healthy patients
•	Verruca
•	Bunions
•	Fungal nail infections
To make a referral a form can be collected from the surgery or if you have access to the internet this form may be completed online at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/hmrpodiatry
ROCHDALE URGENT CARE CENTRE – PLEASE ONLY ATTEND FOR EMERGENCIES
Rochdale Urgent Care Centre is open 24hours – 7 days a week.  The Urgent Care Centre will consist of a team of clinicians, emergency and advanced nurse practitioners, fully qualified nursing staff, with support from a medical consultant and from other departments within the hospital such as blood testing and x-ray. 
A & E DEPARTMENTS -  PLEASE ATTEND A&E FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY
Emergency services are very busy.  They should only be used in very serious or life threatening situations.  Only call an ambulance if you think the illness/injury may become worse or life threatening on the way to hospital or if by moving a patient could cause further injury. A&E Departments are found at most hospitals and help people who have signs of being very ill or badly injured.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WHERE TO ATTEND WHEN THE PRACTICE IS CLOSED PLEASE TELEPONE 111