NHS in Sussex is extremely busy this week – what you can do to get the right help and support

NHS leaders in Sussex are calling on people to make the right choice of service when help is needed this week – as the NHS manages significant demand.

This week, NHS services in Sussex are all seeing high numbers of people, in particular, people needing expert care and support. Hospitals are at capacity and people are waiting for longer than expected to be seen on the day in Emergency Departments and Urgent Treatment Centres as people are clinically prioritised.

As a result, people are being urged to know the full range of NHS services available and where to go if you need help and support this week.

The current demand is a result of significant increases in the number of people going to A&E departments and Emergency Departments, the cold weather last week impacting on people’s long-term health conditions, and increases in flu and norovirus cases amongst patients and staff.

Elsewhere in the country, hospitals have declared critical incidents due to this level of demand which is being seen across the NHS.

Health and care partners have tested winter plans in place but are now taking additional steps to make sure that those who need NHS support can receive it:

• Additional focus on hospital discharge – further steps to support people who are medically ready to leave hospital to move to onward care;
• Additional capacity in services to support people with urgent needs in the community, such as virtual wards and community response teams;
• Ensuring that the urgent care services, such as Minor Injury Units and Urgent Treatment Centres, that can see and treat people in communities have the right staffing and are available.

Further to this, there is a call to the public to know where to go if someone needs NHS help over the coming days.

A&E Departments are for life saving emergencies, and other health and care needs can be supported by an alternative service.

Need urgent care?
For urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, people should use urgent treatment centres, walk-in centres and minor injury units, rather than attending A&E.

Brighton and Hove:

• Brighton Station Health Centre – Walk in or call 0333 321 0946. Open 8am to 8pm every day, including bank holidays.

East Sussex:

• Crowborough MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day (please note last booking is at 7:45pm).
• Lewes UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day. (please note last booking is at 7:45pm).
• Uckfield MIU – walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 8am to 8pm every day (please note last booking is at 7:45pm).

West Sussex:

• Crawley UTC – Walk in or use 111 to receive a booked arrival time. Open 7:30am to 10pm, every day of the week.
• Bognor War Memorial Hospital, MIU – please use 111 for help and advice, and, if appropriate, to book an arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
• Horsham Hospital MIU – please use 111 for help and advice, and, if appropriate, to book an arrival time. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
• Queen Victoria Hospital MIU, East Grinstead – Walk-in service. Open 8am to 8pm every day, including bank holidays.

The NHS website provides an overview of the conditions these services can treat. This helps keep emergency departments available for those with life-threatening conditions.

Make the most of local pharmacies and Pharmacy First
Community pharmacies offer expert clinical advice for many minor illnesses without an appointment. Through the Pharmacy First service, pharmacies can now provide advice – and where appropriate, prescription medication – for conditions such as earache, sore throat, sinusitis, impetigo, and infected insect bites. Many pharmacies are open in the evenings and at weekends. Find a pharmacy near you.

NHS 111
If you are unsure where to go or what to do, use NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or call 111. The service is available 24 hours-a-day and can provide advice, support self-care, help with prescriptions and direct you to the most appropriate local service, including booking arrival times at urgent care services where needed.

Stay well and recover safely at home
Keeping warm, staying active where possible, eating regular hot meals and drinking plenty of fluids can help people stay well. Many minor illnesses can be safely managed at home with rest, self-care and over-the-counter medicines. Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet can help families manage symptoms early. People can visit a day-by-day symptom checker to know what symptoms to expect and what you can do to treat yourself. In the majority of cases, people you can also treat COVID-19 at home.

Get vaccinated if eligible
Flu and COVID-19 spread more easily in winter and can cause serious illness. People are strongly encouraged to take up flu, COVID-19, and other recommended vaccinations if eligible. Vaccinations are available through GP practices and community pharmacies, and people can find a local pharmacy offering vaccinations by searching online via the NHS website.

Support others and show kindness
Checking in on vulnerable neighbours, friends and relatives, and supporting loved ones to leave hospital when they are well enough, helps free up care for those who need it most. Please also treat health and care staff with kindness and respect during this busy period.

Allison Cannon, Chief Nursing Officer, at NHS Sussex, said: “Making sure you use services appropriately and only attend A&E if you have an emergency is essential at this time, allowing our emergency departments to focus on those who really need their care.

“Please consider the alternatives, and where you can go for NHS help if you need support this week.

“If your loved one is ready to be discharged from hospital, your support in enabling that discharge as quickly and safely as possible is appreciated.

“Health and care teams across Sussex continue to work exceptionally hard and we would like to reassure patients and the public that despite the challenges faced, essential services remain fully open for anyone who needs them so if you do require urgent medical help, please access the appropriate help.”