Your NHS is still here for you when you need us

We've launched a local campaign to remind local people to seek medical care when they need it with a focus on life changing and life threatening illnesses.

We’ve put together the following resources which practices can use.

Text message

Dr Bryan Power, Clinical Lead for Long Term Conditions  at NHS Leeds CCG has suggested that all practices send a text message to all patients aged over 60. Of course if you want to send it to other patient populations please do so. “The NHS is here for you when you need us. In an emergency please call 999 or go to your local accident and emergency department (remember there’s no children’s A&E at St James’s Hospital). If you’re worried you might have symptoms of cancer or any other concerns about your health please call your GP practice or NHS 111. Please do not leave anything to chance, your NHS is still here for you.”

A5 Flyer

Your NHS is still here for you when you need us

Your NHS is still here for you when you need us – print ready version

Your NHS is still here for you when you need us – easy read version

If you’d like some printed copies for your practice please email: [email protected]

Social media

Social media plan (with static images included)

If you prefer you can use the animated gifs below alongside the social media messages

Animations – set one

Animations – set two

Information for your websites

It’s important that if you, or your loved ones, become suddenly unwell you get help quickly. Any delay could lead to disability or even death. We have developed the information below [practices to link to A5 flyer] to help you understand when you need to ring 999 or go to A&E, when you should contact your GP practice and when other healthcare options would be better for you including online resources.

We want to keep everyone safe and would welcome you sharing our messages with your family and friends. You can help us do this by sharing the messages in our social media plan [practices to link to social media plan]

To help you here’s examples of when you need to contact 999 or go to A&E.

When to call 999 and attend A&E:

  • Choking
  • Chest pain
  • Blackout
  • Severe bleeding
  • A serious injury
  • If you think you’re having a stroke

Call your GP if you have the following:

  • Concerns regarding ongoing conditions
  • Ear discharge / pain
  • Rashes
  • Stomach ache
  • Any cancer symptoms such as lump in your breast, changes in bowel habits, blood in your pee or poo, unexplained weight loss, moles that appear to change or cough that you’ve had for three weeks or more (visit NHS.uk for more information)

If you have coronavirus symptoms, please mention this when calling your GP practice, calling 999 or when you arrive at A&E.