999 is for life-threatening emergencies – when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Medical emergencies can include:
- loss of consciousness
- an acute confused state
- fits that are not stopping
- persistent, severe chest pain
- breathing difficulties
- severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- severe allergic reactions
- severe burns or scalds
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke. Every second counts with these conditions.
Also call 999 if you think someone has had a major trauma. Major trauma is often the result of a serious road traffic accident, a stabbing, a shooting, a fall from height, or a serious head injury.
If you need medical help fast but it’s not a life-threatening situation, use NHS 111.
Last updated: 25th March 2020
Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service, or PALS, is an English National Health Service body created to provide advice and support to NHS patients and their relatives and carers.
You can raise a concern with the CCG about any of the services they commission, but it’s usually best to first contact the organisation that is providing the service.
In Bucks, the CCG PALS service is provided by the NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group.
0800 328 5640 or 0300 123 6258
PALS & Complaints NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Albert House, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe HP11 1AG
Last updated: 8th June 2020
Buckinghamshire Council – Care Advice Buckinghamshire
Support and care for adults, their families and carers. Helping you find the right information and support in Buckinghamshire.
This site covers:
- Asking for help from Adult Social Care
- Protecting people at risk from abuse
- Supporting carers
- Supporting people to live independently
- Supporting people to regain independence
- Living with support
- Other information and advice
- Health and wellbeing
- Paying for care
First published: 29th March 2018
Bucks Healthcare Trust Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
PALS is a confidential service. They won’t share with whoever you are complaining about. They try to sort out the problem or advise you what to do. They also have a lot of information about the NHS and other services.
PALS, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury HP21 8AL
the PALS office is above the restaurant at the main entrance to Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Last updated: 3rd June 2019
Bucks Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Easy access to free and confidential sexual health services for all.
Find a clinic or service near you
First published: 4th May 2018
Bucks Vision is a local charity helping people with sight loss across Buckinghamshire.
They offer a wide range of services delivered by a small staff team and volunteers. Services include:
- Practical Courses
- Social & Sporting Activities
- Support at Home
- Eye Clinic Patient Support
- Equipment Information
Last updated: 29th December 2019
Healthwatch Bucks Jargon Buster
We some times use acronyms in our news stories and reports so we have put together this jargon buster. We do this because some names for NHS services and partner organisations are long and difficult to follow if used repeatedly. The glossary contains many of the most common acronyms we use and is updated constantly. We’ll still try to avoid using unexplained acronyms wherever possible!
Our Glossary
Last updated: 29th March 2018
Healthy Minds is a NHS service offering quick and easy access to talking therapies, practical support and employment advice.
Anyone who is feeling depressed, anxious or stressed, is aged 18 or over and has a GP in Buckinghamshire can request help from Healthy Minds. You can self-refer.
You can also rate and review Healthy Minds Bucks
Last updated: 3rd January 2020
Help returning home from hospital
You can get support and care from the British Red Cross when returning home from hospital.
They can collect you and make sure you have everything you need for your first 24 to 72 hours back at home. They’ll also provide practical and emotional support, whether that’s stocking the fridge, feeding the cat or a just cup of tea and chat. They may then provide up to 12 weeks of support to help you recover as quickly as possible.
Buckinghamshire / Berkshire (South of England)
Bedfordshire / Hertfordshire (South East of England)
Last updated: 11th February 2022
An Integrated Care System is where health and care organisations voluntarily come together to provide integrated services for a defined population.
Integrated Care Systems are those in which commissioners and NHS providers, working closely with GP networks, local authorities and other partners, agree to take shared responsibility (in ways that are consistent with their individual legal obligations) for how they operate their collective resources for the benefit of local populations.
First published: 12th April 2018
Live Well Stay Well Service
Live Well Stay Well is a FREE health improvement service available to anyone over the age of 18. We are experts in working with members of the public and supporting them to make changes to their lifestyles that lead to a healthier life. If you are interested in, or have been advised to eat a bit more healthily, be a bit more physically active, reduce the amount of alcohol you drink, lose some weight or stop smoking, we’re here to help you make those changes and stick to them. If you would like support with the emotional challenges of managing a long term health condition, our Live Well Practitioners can offer a range of different types of support to help you cope and prevent your long term health condition stopping you from doing the things you want to in life.
Last updated: 25th March 2020
If you need medical help fast but it’s not a life-threatening situation, you can call the NHS 111 number or go online.
When you call 111, a trained adviser will ask you questions to find out what’s wrong, give you medical advice and direct you to someone who can help you, like an out-of-hour doctor or a community nurse. If the adviser thinks your condition is more serious, they will direct you to hospital or send an ambulance.
If you don’t speak English, tell the adviser what language you want to speak and they will get you an interpreter.
You can call 111 any time of the day. The call is free, from landlines and mobiles.
You can also Rate & Review NHS 111
First published: 6th February 2018
Adults with care and support needs are amongst the most vulnerable members of society. Protecting them from becoming victims of abuse is everyone’s responsibility.
If you have concerns about an adult call the Safeguarding Adults Team:
During office hours 0800 137 915
Out of office hours 0800 999 7677
Last updated: 3rd January 2020
The NHS in England is made up of, and supported by, many different local and national organisations. This chart is a handy guide to who does what and how NHS services are funded, delivered and regulated.
Downloads
A guide to the NHS in England
First published: 14th June 2018
Wycombe Urgent Treatment Centre
There are a number of services at the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), including injuries, illness, Out of Hours GP service and DVT (deep vein thrombosis) Clinic.
As of April 2020 this is no longer a walk-in service and patients are required a pre-bookable appointment via the NHS 111. Please only attend if you have an appointment.
The UTC is open 08:00 – 20:00 365 days a year. (Note this is no longer a 24 hours service)
Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire HP11 2TT
First published: 25th March 2020
This website lists the latest consultations and surveys run by Buckinghamshire Council and Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group about services in Buckinghamshire.
Last updated: 21st April 2021
