GETTING HEALTHCARE ADVICE AND TREATMENT OVER EASTER

GP and pharmacy services will only be limited on Good Friday, 30 March, and Easter Monday, 2 April. On all other normal working days, GP surgeries are open from 8am to 6.30pm as normal.

The GP extended access pilot allows for additional GP appointments to be made on weekend mornings and weekday evenings until 8pm. Patients are advised to contact their own surgery to find out what appointments are available. Appointments may not be with your usual doctor.

Saturday 31 March is a normal working day for pharmacies, so pharmacists will be open as normal. SMS Pharmacy is open on Easter Sunday 1 April from 11am to 5pm and Tesco in-store chemists are open on Easter Monday between 9am and 6pm.

Your local pharmacy is the place to go to get any prescription medicines and clinical advice for minor health concerns. As well as helping with common illnesses – like sore throats, coughs, colds, tummy troubles and aches and pains – they provide advice on over-the-counter medicines.

Most local pharmacies have consultation rooms for private conversations. Your pharmacist can also talk to you confidentially without anything being noted in your medical records. 

Getting advice from a local pharmacist is the best first step for a minor health concern. Patients are advised to call their usual pharmacy before travelling as opening hours may vary.

Further information on opening times is given below:

Dr. Tom Tasker, Chair of NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local GP said: “While self care is generally the best option for minor ailments, it is important that local people know where to go or who to contact if they are unwell over Easter, so that they can receive the best possible treatment for their condition in the quickest time”.

Where to go for the right medical care:

NHS Choices website (http://www.nhs.uk) for advice on less urgent health needs.

NHS 111 for clinical advice, assessment and for direction to the most appropriate services for treatment if you need medical help fast but it is not an emergency – available 24/7.

GP practices will be closed on the following bank holidays: 30th March (Good Friday) and 2nd April (Easter Monday). Appointments at the GP Out of Hours Service will be available on Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday – but these should only be for people who need to see a GP urgently. If you are unwell and want to see a doctor, ring NHS 111 for free and you’ll be directed to the service.

Pharmacists for those feeling generally unwell.

Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments and the 999 ambulance service should only be used in a critical or life-threatening situation.