GP practice and community pharmacy services across Lancashire and South Cumbria will be available this bank holiday weekend so that people can continue to access vital NHS services.
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature or a new, continuous cough – who needs medical advice, should use the dedicated NHS 111 COVID-19 service online. However, while the public is being urged to follow government advice to stay home, other NHS services will be there for you should you need them.
For those who need to see their GP for other health concerns that are not related to COVID-19 , the majority of local practices will be open on bank holiday Friday (8 May) – practices can be contacted online or by phone. People can check their GP practice website for details.
If a face-to-face appointment is necessary and if for any reason their usual GP practice is not open, patients will be directed to another nearby service.
Most community pharmacies in the area will be open for a minimum of three hours on bank holiday Friday – people can check their local pharmacy’s website for details.
Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, GP and Chief Officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System, said:
“The NHS is here for people that need it. NHS staff across Lancashire and South Cumbria are pulling out all the stops to treat and care for patients during the coronavirus outbreak – this will not stop during the bank holiday weekend.
“GP and pharmacy colleagues are working incredibly hard to provide advice and medicines to those who need it.
“We would like to thank local people for their perseverance and continued support to stay at home. Staying at home keeps you well, protects others, supports the NHS and ultimately saves lives.”
Accessing NHS services
Anyone with coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature or a new, continuous cough – who needs medical advice, should use the dedicated NHS 111 COVID-19 service online. You should only call NHS 111 if you can’t get help online, as their phone lines are very busy at this time. Please do not go to your GP practice or community pharmacy.
If people have a routine appointment booked with either your GP practice or another health service at either a hospital or health centre, they should speak to them before attending, to check if it is still going ahead.
There’s also a reminder that for any urgent medical help over the bank holidays, you can visit www.111.nhs.uk, or call 111 if you don’t have online access, 24 hours a day.
NHS dental practices are providing urgent telephone advice and triage, including prescribing painkillers and antibiotics if needed. Patients should ring their practice first. If you don’t have a regular dentist, go online 111.nhs.uk or call NHS 111.
When someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, people should call 999 immediately, just as they normally would - especially if they think that they or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke – every second counts with these conditions.