If you need urgent medical assistance when we are closed, please call 111. In an emergency please call 999.

• This service is for emergencies
• It should not be used instead of a day time appointment
• All calls are monitored and will be reviewed by our Doctors

If you have a minor ailment you could visit your local pharmacy who will be able to provide you with some help or signpost you onto the next available service.

Out-of-hours services are generally busy so please think carefully before asking to see a doctor and only do so if you genuinely cannot wait until the surgery re-opens.

This guide has been developed for you, our patients to help you understand what Accident and Emergency Departments (A&E) are, when to use them and what alternative sources of healthcare help and advice are available to you.

What are A&E Departments?

A&E departments, sometimes called casualty or Emergency departments, are hospital units where the public can attend without an appointment for Accidents, emergencies and other very urgent medical Conditions which may require the facilities and expertise of highly skilled hospital teams. Examples where it is right and appropriate to attend A&E without delay include Major injuries for instance;

• Injuries from road traffic accidents
• Serious falls
• Major head injuries
• Collapse
• Severe breathing difficulty
• Severe chest pain
• Severe haemorrhage
• Poisoning
• Extensive burns

Unfortunately many people attend A&E with very minor problems. This makes it difficult for A&E staff to deal with the volume of cases, this will then involve delays for patients and incurs considerable costs. The following are examples of minor problems for which A&E attendance is not appropriate. Generally, if the Person is unwell, but alert and speaking without impaired consciousness or severe breathing difficulty, then they do not need to attend.

• Flu-like illnesses
• Coughs
• Earache
• Backache
• Sore Throats
• Minor breathlessness or wheezing
• Abdominal pain (unless extreme or associated with collapse)
• Urinary difficulties (unless extreme or associated with collapse)
• Urinary pain (Unless extreme or associated with collapse)
• Urinary difficulties (unless completely unable to pass water)
• Vaginal bleeding (unless very heavy and associated with faintness)
• Rashes (unless it appears like spontaneous bleeding under the skin or the person is very unwell)
• Diarrhoea and vomiting
• Simple bites and stings
• Social problems
• Emergency contraception
• Dental problems (except major trauma)

Such conditions can generally be safely managed by your GP, practice nurse and sometimes with advices from pharmacists, by yourself.

The Minor Injuries Unit at Wimborne Community Hospital provides a nurse led service assessing and treatment of minor injuries and illness for adults & children. Please telephone 01202 856436 for an appointment.

• advice & treatment of lacerations, burns & wounds, musculoskeletal injuries including sprains, strains and fractures, head injuries, eye injuries, foreign bodies.
• assessments following a fall in the elderly.
• treatment & advice for minor illnesses such as coughs & colds, asthma, bites & stings, rashes & allergic reactions, earache & sore throats, and emergency contraception.
• open 8am – 8pm everyday

Bridport Minor Injuries Unit: Telephone 01308 426245 9am - 8pm weekdays & 9am - 6pm weekends

Shaftesbury Minor Injuries Unit: Telephone 01747 851535 8am - 8pm everyday

Swanage Minor Injuries Unit: Telephone 01929 475009 8am - 8pm everyday

Weymouth Urgent Care Centre: Telephone 01305 762541 8am - 8pm everyday

Royal Bournemouth: 01202 303626

Poole Hospital: 01202 665511

Alderney: 01202 735537

St Annes: 01202 708881

• Aids Helpline: 0800 567123
• Citizens Advice: 0344 411 1444
• Carers Link: 01202 458204
• Community Health Council: 01202 393444
• Drugs/Alcohol Advice: 01202 735777 / 01202 296000
• Emergency Dentist: 01202 659292
• Housing care – home services: 01202 432288
• Samaritans: 116 123
• Social Services: 01202 261000
• Social Services (emergency): 01202 668123
• Police (non emergency): 01202 552099