Hospital services are extremely busy – ways you can help

We need your help to keep people safe by directing them to the most appropriate place to receive their care and reminding them that the NHS will help them get the care they need.

You can help us by sharing the following messages with your networks:

1. Hospital services are extremely busy – please share the information below with local people

2. Flu cases are rising – you can order free flu leaflets and share our voicenotes

3. Share information about booking a free flu vaccine - on WhatsApp and social media

Hospital services are extremely busy

Local hospitals are extremely busy at the moment and we need your help to direct people to the most appropriate place to receive their care.

People who are unwell should only go to the A & E department if it is an emergency - if their illness or injury is less urgent they will be waiting longer, and may be directed to another service. In life-threatening emergencies people should call 999 and in other cases use 111.nhs.uk.

Please encourage local people to remember the following if they need urgent health care:  

• If it is a life-threatening emergency, then call 999. If you are told to go to hospital, then you must go. The NHS will help you get the care you need.   For all other urgent health needs contact 111.nhs.uk or phone 111.

• If you need mental health support call 111 and select the mental health option to speak to a specially trained NHS mental health professional who can provide immediate support and guidance. 

• People can order medication using the NHS app or through their GP practice, which may also have an online service.  

• Pharmacies provide clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. Search 'find a pharmacy NHS' to locate an open pharmacy near you.

• If you need urgent dental treatment, contact your regular dentist. If you cannot contact your dentist use NHS 111.nhs.uk for information about your local out of hours service.  

• GP services are available – contact your practice online or by phone to be assessed. If your practice is not open but an appointment is necessary, you will be advised of the next steps. Your appointment may be at another nearby service.  

You can also share this message on your WhatsApp or social media channels:

Hospital services are extremely busy at the moment.  The NHS is still here for people who need care.  Please use https://111.nhs.uk/ and in life-threatening emergencies call 999.

Flu cases are rising, please help us share vaccination messages and order free leaflets

Flu cases are rising across south west London. Every vaccination matters, especially for older people, people with long-term conditions and children aged 2-3 years old.  It’s important that as many people as possible are vaccinated as soon as possible. 

 We are asking you to help us to share messages by distributing flyers and sharing our films and voice notes via your WhatsApp groups and social media channels.  

 Ways you can help right now:

• Order free printed flyers for delivery to your group using this form.   Please complete the form by Friday 12 December and please note deliveries can take up to 7 days.

• Share our campaign films, voice notes and messages – voicenotes available in Gujarati, Korean, Polish, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu.  We also have a British Sign Language film.

• Reshare our posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)

All campaign materials including films, voice notes, social posts and printable assets are available here: Flu campaign assets

Charlotte Jones (she/her)

Community Engagement Officer

NHS South West London

South West London Integrated Care System

120 The Broadway, Wimbledon, SW19 1RH

T: 0204 526 2858 | E: charlotte.jones@swlondon.nhs.uk

www.southwestlondon.icb.nhs.uk | www.southwestlondonics.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter @SWLNHS_