Top tips for a happy and healthy Brighton Pride

Dozens of NHS staff will be taking part in Brighton Pride today but many more will be on duty across the area to help keep everyone healthy and well.

Here are a few top tips to have a happy and healthy Pride whether you’re at the parade, festival or party.

They apply equally if you’re out and about for another reason – and many of these simple messages are relevant for local people just staying at home.

But many are aimed especially at the hundreds of thousands of people who are expected to spend the weekend in Brighton and Hove for Pride.

• Decide on a meeting point in advance in case you get split up from friends
• If you need help, find a steward
• Stay hydrated and use water refill points or ask at a bar for tap water
• Be sun aware, use sunscreen and wear a hat
• Don’t mix alcohol and drugs – it’s dangerous
• Festivals are not safe place to try drugs
• Beware of pickpockets and don’t use back pockets for valuables
• Practice safer sex – condoms are available from the Terrence Higgins Trust in the Pride market place
• To access local alcohol and drugs services visit pavilions.org.uk – and for under 18s visit www.socialsubcultural.com/ruok.

If you need first aid

If someone gets sick, don’t leave them alone. Send someone to fetch help.

Tell medical staff if any drugs or alcohol has been consumed. This will help your friend and you won’t get in trouble for telling the truth.

St John Ambulance have first aid tents at Pride

• In Preston Park near the Bears’ Tent and next to the Access and Cabaret tents
• At the Pride Village Party, in Marine Parade and in the Old Steine Pleasure Gardens

Safe Space

Safe Space is open at St Paul’s Church tonight from 11pm till late, in West Street, Brighton, to support anyone who has become intoxicated, distressed or injured during their night out.

Most people who go to Safe Space have become vulnerable through alcohol or drug use and are in need of immediate help.

They might have lost their friends, be unable to get home or perhaps need first aid, some water or a phone charger.

Urgent care

People in need of urgent care that’s not an emergency are encouraged to use the wide range of alternatives to A&E.

These include the NHS Walk-in Centre at the Practice Plus Brighton Station Health Centre.

It’s just a few minutes away from Brighton railway station and is open from 8am today until 2am. Anyone can go there for treatment. There is no need to be a registered patient or to make an appointment to use the Walk-in Centre and, for non-emergencies, the wait is likely to be shorter than at A&E.

It offers quick treatment at a convenient location for Pride revellers for things like

• Minor infections and rashes
• Stomach upsets
• Superficial cuts and bruises
• Minor burns
• Strains and sprains

A pharmacist can also help, offering treatment advice and recommending remedies and giving guidance on medicines for children.

No appointment is needed to see a local pharmacist and most have private consultation areas.

To find a local pharmacy, visit www.nhs.uk/pharmacists.

NHS 111 is available 24/7 and offers advice and guidance for patients with non-emergency urgent healthcare needs.

It can advise on local NHS services, connect the caller to a medical professional, arrange appointments and offer self-care advice.

Residents can also take advantage of easier access to evening and weekend appointments, available at GP surgeries across Brighton and Hove.

Surgeries are working together to offer patients appointments at more convenient times when they call their local practice.

Patients can make an appointment from 6.30pm to 8.30pm each weekday evening and from 10am to 4pm on a Saturday and Sunday by calling their practice during normal opening hours.

This is a sponsored editorial prepared by the Brighton and Hove Clinical Commissioning Group.