An NHS Health Hotline has launched for tourists who are visiting the South Lakes.
The development comes in the wake of a successful pilot campaign last year, which was introduced as a way of directing visitors towards the most appropriate healthcare channels, and easing the burden on General Practice.
Operated by Cumbria Health on Call, on behalf of the Grange & Lakes Primary Care Network, the phone line 03000 247 247 can be called by any visitors to the region (who aren’t registered with a GP in the South Lakes), from 9am to 5.30pm every day and be directed to the healthcare service that suits their requirements. This could be to discuss non-emergency health issues that need medical attention, and ordering prescription medication while away from home.
All practices within the Grange & Lakes PCN have been involved in designing the services, which will support both tourist and registered populations, and all GP practices and primary care sites are offering extra appointments as part of this initiative.
Locations that this service is available include: Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cartmel, Coniston, Flookburgh, Grange-Over-Sands, Grasmere, Greenodd, Grizedale, Haverthwaite, Hawkshead, Langdale, Levens, Lindale, Newby Bridge, Staveley, Troutbeck, Windermere.
For any urgent medical attention and advice, you should still visit www.111.nhs.uk or phone 111, and always call 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.
