Shortage of GPs to cover the Out of Hours service in Carmarthenshire overnight

Update on Out of Hours Service in Carmarthenshire – Thursday 21 June 2018
Press release from Hywel Dda University Health Board:
We are currently experiencing a shortage of GPs to cover the Out of Hours service in Carmarthenshire overnight tonight.
Efforts are continuing until the last possible moment to fill the shifts affected.
Clinical staff will be available to make an assessment of your condition and refer you to an appropriate destination should an urgent face-to-face review be required. In the meantime, there are other services that can help you if you are unwell:

• for health information and advice, including online symptom checkers, please visit NHS Direct Wales: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk
• call 111 – they can help to signpost you to the right service, for example a GP, nurse, pharmacist or Minor Injury Unit, they also provide health information on a wide range of conditions for self care if appropriate
• attend a minor injury unit, available at Glangwili Hospital and Prince Philip Hospital
• ONLY in an emergency for serious or life-threatening conditions should you dial 999

Joe Teape, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Operations at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “I apologise for any concern or inconvenience caused to Carmarthenshire residents. Unfortunately we continue to experience GP shortages at this time and we appreciate the efforts our staff, GPs and partners from across the Hywel Dda area are making to ensure we can provide safe services for our patients.”