Where to get NHS help over Jubilee weekend
The local NHS is reminding people that they can still access urgent health care over the Jubilee bank holiday weekend – including Thursday 2 and Friday 3 June when GP practices will be closed.
People who need to be seen by a health professional are being asked to contact NHS 111 in the first instance, unless it’s a life-threatening situation which requires calling 999 for an ambulance.
NHS 111 is staffed by a team of trained professionals who can help direct patients to the most appropriate service for advice or treatment over the weekend. This could include arranging a face-to-face appointment with an out-of-hours GP, or at a local hospital A&E department if needed.
Dr Andrew Pryce, local GP and Chair of NHS Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation that plans health services in the borough, said:
“We know that sometimes patients are unsure about what to do if they become unwell during a bank holiday weekend when their GP practice is closed, but we want to let people know that NHS help is still available when you need it.
“The best thing you can do is to contact NHS 111 if you need any kind of medical advice or treatment over the weekend. The service can offer advice on you or your child’s symptoms, and can also book you an urgent, face-to-face appointment if you need one.”
Rowan Pritchard-Jones, Medical Director, St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said:
“As with all other hospitals across the country, we have experienced a significant increase in demand for services in recent months, with the A&E Department at Whiston Hospital being amongst the busiest in the region.
“We will always prioritise those needing emergency or urgent treatment first, and if your condition is not life-threatening, this may lead to a much longer wait to be seen.
“Where people need to access NHS services, but their need is not an emergency we would urge people to call 111 or use the online service www.nhs.uk/111 in the first instance and allow the experienced call-handlers to direct them to the best service for their care.
“People can be absolutely assured that if they have an emergency, we are open and are here to care for them. In an emergency, people should always still call 999.”
Alternatively, people can also seek treatment and advice for minor conditions at an NHS Walk in Centre – with or without a pre-booked appointment. All three of Knowsley’s Walk in Centres are open from early until late (8am-8.30pm), seven days a week, including on bank holidays (10am-8.30pm). You can find your nearest Walk-in Centre here.
Rachel Williams, Medical Lead for Walk in Centres at Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“We have eight Walk-in Centres across Liverpool, Knowsley and South Sefton that are open seven days a week, 365 days a year. They are here for you when you need advice and treatment for a range of minor injuries and illnesses.
“If you need same day urgent care please contact NHS 111, as they’ll know the best service for your need and can also book you in at your local Walk In Centre. Alternatively, you can simply turn up to any of our Walk in Centres without an appointment – but if it’s a serious injury or emergency, please dial 999 or go straight to A&E.”
Parents are also reminded that they can now access help for under 16s at any local Walk in Centre, or can also use Alder Hey’s new symptom checker at: www.alderhey.nhs.uk for advice on common symptoms in children, and when to seek further help.
Any patients who take medication on a regular basis to help manage a long-term condition like high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma, are also reminded to check they have enough supply left in advance of the extended bank holiday period, and not risk being caught short when GP practices will be closed.
Although some local pharmacies will continue to be open as normal over the bank holiday weekend, some will be closed or operating with different opening times to normal. Please contact NHS 111 or search online to find your nearest open branch.
To access NHS 111, go to 111.nhs.uk or dial 111 at any time – it operates 24-hours a day, every day.
BSL users can also use the NHS 111 video interpreter service by going to:
