Choose Well will help you decide if you need medical attention if you get sick. It explains what each NHS service does, and when it should be used.
Choosing Well means that you and your family will get the best treatment. It also allows busy NHS services to help the people who need them most.
How can I choose well?
Take some time to find out more about the variety of healthcare services that are available to you and what they can offer:
Emergency Department (A&E) or 999
A&E Departments are located at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil and the Royal Glamorgan Hospital in Llantrisant.
They are designed to treat emergencies only. An emergency is a serious or life-threatening condition.
You should always call 999 in a life threatening emergency - if you think a life is at risk.
How do I access the service?
Calling 999 will put you through to highly trained staff who will assess the seriousness of the situation. They will dispatch an ambulance immediately to patients with life threatening conditions.
A 999 call does not always mean an ambulance will be sent, you may be offered further advice on which NHS service to access
NHS Minor Injuries Unit
Located at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon and Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda.
They are designed to treat minor injuries only.
They are unable to deal with serious or life-threatening conditions. Patients who attend a Minor Injuries Service with an emergency condition put themselves at risk - they should attend A&E or dial 999.
How do I access the service?
- Ysbyty Cwm Cynon Minor Injuries Service Open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm (Closed weekends and Bank Holidays)
- Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Minor Injuries Service
APPOINTMENTS ONLY Phone First! on 01443 444075
Open Monday to Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm (Closed weekends and Bank Holidays) - GP Surgeries can also provide treatment for minor injuries
GP, Out of Hours Services or Dental Service
Can be found locally across South Wales. You can make an appointment with your registered doctor or dentist for advice, examinations and prescriptions by contacting them directly.
To contact GP services out side of normal working hours phone 08456 010 110. If you are visiting the area and are not registered phone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
How do I access the service?
For appointments with your GP, contact them directly
If you are having regular dental treatment contact your dentist directly For urgent dental treatment phone the Dental Helpline on 01443 492817 (Monday to Friday 9am - 50pm).
For anything outside of normal working hours phone the Out of Hours Helpline on 08456 010110
Chemist/Pharmacist
Visit your local pharmacy when you are suffering from a simple health problem which does not need to be seen by a nurse or a doctor.
Your pharmacist can supply emergency contraception without an appointment.
How do I access the service?
You can walk in to your local Pharmacy where the pharmacist can give you advice on common illnesses and the medicines you need to treat them.
Speak to your pharmacist if you have run out of your repeat prescription.
NHS Direct Wales
NHS Direct offers confidential health advice and information.
Contact NHS Direct if you are ill and have any questions about health.
The service can also help you find health services in your local area.
How do I access the service?
You can phone NHS Direct any time on
0845 46 47
or via the internet at
www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
