LOCAL residents are being urged to make NHS 111 and pharmacies their first point of call for help and advice with any health concerns over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
GP practices will close for Easter at 6:30pm today, Thursday 1 April and reopen on Tuesday 6 April at 8am. However, patients can still access a range of health advice and support.
Help for minor illnesses and ailments
Some local pharmacies will continue to be open over the bank holiday and can help by offering advice and treatments to manage any minor illnesses at home. Halton residents can use the NHS Halton Minor Ailments Scheme ‘Care at the Chemist’ by asking to be treated under the scheme; if a patient does not pay for their prescriptions then they will not have to pay for any recommended treatment.
View a list of Easter opening times for pharmacies in Warrington CLICK HERE
Please note times can be subject to change so you are advised to check beforehand by visiting www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-pharmacy/, your pharmacy’s own website or calling your pharmacy.
Help for urgent medical problems
If you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do, you can call NHS 111 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. However, this is for the assessment of people aged 5 and over only.
NHS 111 makes it easier and quicker for patients to get the right advice or treatment they need, be that for their physical or mental health.
Depending on individual needs, NHS 111 can also book arrival slots for patients at NHS Runcorn Urgent Care Centre, NHS Widnes Urgent Care Centre, GP Out of Hours Service and the emergency departments at our local hospitals in Warrington and Whiston.
NHS 111 supports patients to stay as safe as possible during the coronavirus pandemic by managing the number of patients attending services at any one time. It also ensures patients get the right care, in the right place by signposting to other services and sources of advice and ensuring that patients get the most appropriate care.
Patients with a booked face-to-face arrival slot will benefit from reduced waiting times and NHS services can help maintain social distancing guidelines.
Please remember you should only call 999 or go to an accident & emergency department when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or loss of taste – who needs medical advice or support, should continue to use the dedicated NHS 111 coronavirus service online at: www.111.nhs.uk/COVID-19. Only call 111 if you can’t get help online.
For more health advice and information visit www.nhs.uk or www.haltonwarringtonccg.nhs.uk
