As families across Lincolnshire are off for the February half term break, the NHS is reminding parents and carers that a wide range of help and advice is available for children and young people – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
By choosing the right service first, you can help your child get the care they need quickly, while keeping urgent and emergency services free for those who need them most.
Dr Dave Briggs, Executive Director of Outcomes (Medical) at NHS Derby and Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Cluster, said: “We want families to have a safe and enjoyable half term break, but we know that sometimes illness or accidents can get in the way.
“We have a range of advice, support and services to help. Many illnesses – such as coughs and colds – can be treated safely at home with rest, fluids and over-the-counter remedies. We also have our Children’s Health and Wellbeing web pages where you can get information about symptoms, how to treat them and when to get help.
“You can visit one of our urgent treatment centres for sprains, minor fractures, and minor burns. And if your child needs urgent care, NHS 111 can help direct you to the right service.”
Find out more about health support this half term:
Start with self‑care:
Many common childhood illnesses – including colds, coughs, flu, earache, and sore throats – can be safely managed at home with rest, fluids, and over‑the‑counter remedies.
Visit our Children’s Health and Wellbeing pages for guidance on what to look out for, when to monitor symptoms at home, and when to seek help.
How can I help myself and others?
NHS App: A Handy Tool for Families:
The NHS App gives you trusted NHS guidance for hundreds of conditions, access to NHS 111 online, and the ability to:
- Manage and book GP appointments
- Order repeat prescriptions
- Nominate your preferred pharmacy
- Find trusted NHS guidance on hundreds of conditions and treatments
- View your health records and test results
Pharmacy: Expert advice close to home:
Your local pharmacy is a great first stop for less serious illnesses. Pharmacists are trained clinicians who can offer advice, recommend treatments, and, through Pharmacy First, provide some prescription medicines without needing a GP appointment. Pharmacy First can help children and young people with earache (ages 1–17); impetigo (age 1+); infected insect bites (age 1+); sinusitis (age 12+); and sore throats (age 5+).
More information about Pharmacy First is available at Pharmacies – Lincolnshire.
NHS 111:
If you’re unsure what care your child needs, NHS 111 is available online or by phone, day and night. NHS 111 can:
- Direct you to the right service
- Book appointments
- Offer a callback from a nurse
- Arrange urgent dental care
- Provide mental health support
- Support you with a range of children’s health concerns
Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 for quick, reliable advice.
Your GP practice:
If your child has symptoms that aren’t improving, your General Practice team is here to help. GP practices offer telephone, online, and face‑to‑face appointments with GPs, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Practices are open until 6.30pm. Outside these hours, simply use NHS 111 online or by phone.
Urgent treatment centres:
For injuries and illnesses that need urgent attention but aren’t life‑threatening – such as sprains, minor fractures, burns, or skin infections – you can visit your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre: Urgent Treatment Centres – Lincolnshire.
WaitLess:
The WaitLess app allows parents to see the travel, wait and treatment time at any of our Urgent Treatment sites – you can download the app from Google Play or the App Store.
Dental care:
If your child needs urgent dental treatment, call NHS 111. You do not need to be registered with a dentist to get emergency help.
Mental health support:
Visit Mental Health & Wellbeing Support – Lincolnshire or mental health advice, support and services. If a young person has an urgent mental health issue, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 and select option 2.