We are working to ensure that children on the Isle of Wight are supported to get the best start in life that will lead to good health and wellbeing. This will provide the foundation to ensure they are able to achieve the best opportunities and keep as healthy and well as possible throughout their lives.
We want to ensure that families, individuals and communities are thriving and resilient with access to good jobs, affordable housing, leisure activities, lifelong training, education and learning, health and care services are are able to enjoy the place in which they live.
We want to ensure that people on the Isle of Wight are able to live independently in their own homes with appropriate care support. We want to make sure older residents are supported to play an active role in their communities and supported to maintain and develop their social and community networks.
The NHS has much to offer us in terms of support, but it is also very stretched. It is therefore important you choose the service you need carefully and sensibly so that you receive the right help and treatment, while reducing pressure on emergency services, freeing them up for those who really need them.
Call NHS 111
If you are unsure which service to use, call 111 first and they will advise you about the most appropriate service to use.
Or if you think you need a doctor in the evening, over the weekend or on a Bank Holiday, for something which you feel cannot wait, call 111.
Trained call handlers, supported by nurses and paramedics at St. Mary’s Hospital will assess your symptoms and put you directly in touch with people who can help such as a doctor, district nurse, emergency dentist or a 24 hour pharmacy. They can also send an ambulance, without delay, if required.
You should call NHS 111 if you:
Calls to 111 are free from landlines and mobile phones and are available every hour of every day.
In an emergency call 999
Please think before you dial 999. The ambulance service is for emergencies and life-threatening situations only. If ambulance crews are called out to those with minor illnesses, they cannot get to those who really need their help.
The Emergency Department (A&E)
A&E is for emergencies only: serious, life-threatening injuries and illnesses that need urgent medical attention such as:
People with these types of serious conditions will be treated before those with minor complaints - which would be more quickly helped by calling 111.
Speak to a pharmacist
Pharmacists are medically trained and can help navigate the medicines you might need, as well as help you decide whether it is necessary to see a doctor. An appointment is not needed and often they are able to see people straight away and talk discretely in a private consultation area and in confidence. No purchase is necessary, and they are able to give expert advice on a wide breadth of ailments such as:
General Practitioner ‘GP’/doctor
Your GP can provide a range of services including medical advice, examinations, prescriptions and ongoing care for more longstanding or chronic conditions, in addition to:
If you’re not sure whether you need the help of a doctor, call 111 and they can advise you.
NHS Choices
NHS Choices provides health advice online across the majority of common ailments, childhood conditions and pregnancy. Visiting this site could also give you a range of information and advice that might help you prevent a crisis later on.
Local services for children and young people
What 0-18 is a very useful site for those anxious times when your child is unwell or when you would simply like to better understand ways to care for your child. It is also available as an app to help you get the answers you need more quickly. It covers pregnancy and new babies right through to childhood illnesses, and lists details of the urgent care services near to you.
