Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is advising local people to consider options for healthcare over Christmas and New Year holiday.

If you, or someone you care for, is feeling unwell, there are a number of ways to get the right care:

• Self-care is the best choice to treat very minor illnesses and injuries.  A range of common winter illness and injuries can be treated at home simply by combining a well-stocked medicine cabinet with plenty of rest.
  
  
• You don't need an appointment to see a pharmacist and most pharmacies have private consultation areas, so they are a good first port of call.  Your pharmacist will advise if you need further medical attention.  You can find a list of Thames valley pharmacies which are open over the holiday period here
  
  
• Your doctor’s surgery can advise on most health conditions.  But out-of-hours GP services and the NHS 111 service are there when your surgery is closed.
  
  
• Download Oxfordshire CCG’s ‘Health and Care Oxfordshire’ app to your smart phone to find health services close to where you are. The app can be downloaded from the usual app stores or click on the relevant link below: http://bit.ly/iphoneappchoosewell or http://bit.ly/androidappchoosewell
  
  
  
• Are you partying in Oxford City on Friday night? The SOS bus on Cornmarket Street can treat you from 10.30pm – 5.30am if you pick up a minor injury.

The Accident & Emergency Department and the emergency ambulance service provide vital care for life-threatening emergencies, such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attack or stroke, severe breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.  In these cases call 999 immediately.

Please visit our other  web pages  for more information on local health services.