Where to get medical help | News and events

Ahead of the August Bank Holiday weekend (23-25 August), the local NHS is reminding people across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston about NHS services available over the long weekend.

Bank Holidays can see added pressure on local services, so it’s essential that local people use the right NHS service for their illness or injury, ensuring A&E can help the people who need it most.

Here is what’s open in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Royston over the August Bank Holiday weekend:

• NHS 111: If you need urgent medical support over the long weekend, think 111 first. NHS 111 is available online 24/7 at 111.nhs.uk and on the phone. And if you need urgent care, they will book you in to be seen quickly and safely. This could be with a GP, Urgent Treatment Centre or even at A&E; whatever is the most appropriate care for you.
• Pharmacies: Can help with a range of things including hangovers, hay fever, colds, emergency contraception, and non-prescription medication. Search ‘find a pharmacy’ online to find one that's open near you.
• Minor Injury Units (MIU) and Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC): Can help with a range of minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries, bites and stings. The following are open over the weekend:

o Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), Peterborough City Hospital, Edith Cavell Campus, PE3 9GZ. Open every day from 8am-8pm.

o Ely Minor Injury Unit, Princess of Wales Hospital, Lynn Road, Ely, CB6 1DN. Open every day from 8.30am to 6pm. X-ray services available 1pm-4.45pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.

o Doddington Minor Injury Unit, Doddington Hospital, Benwick Road, PE15 0UG. Open 9am-5pm weekends and Bank Holidays; no x-ray service available over the Bank Holiday weekend.

• Mental health services: If you are feeling worried about your mental health there are number of services available, from online support at www.keep-your-head.com to https://lifecraft.org.uk/our-services/lifeline/.If you are in a mental health crisis, please call 111 and select the mental health option for urgent support with trained advisors.

Dr Fiona Head, Medical Director at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “Bank Holidays can be especially busy for the NHS, so it’s important we all use the right NHS service at the right time. If you’re unsure which NHS service can help you, visit 111.nhs.uk online.

“We can also all do some simple things to help the NHS over the Bank Holiday weekend, such as making sure you don’t run out of your prescription medication and having a well-stocked medicine cupboard at home in case you’re unwell.”

For more information about local services and looking after your health over the summer, visit https://www.cpics.org.uk/well-together