Where to get help over May bank holiday 2020

If you or a family member needs urgent advice or medical care over the May bank holiday weekend, it’s important that you know where to go.

Members of the public are being urged to make NHS 111 their first point of call for help and advice whilst their usual GP surgery is closed for the bank holiday on Monday 25th May.

People can visit www.111.nhs.uk, or call NHS 111, 24 hours a day for immediate health advice, as well as access to local GPs out of hours, or for assistance if they aren’t sure where to go.”

In addition, local NHS Walk-in Centres across Liverpool will continue to operate daily between 8am–8pm, but people will need to call them on 0300 100 1004 to arrange an appointment first.

Some local pharmacies will also continue to be open over the bank holiday and can help by offering advice and treatments to manage any minor illnesses yourself at home.

You should check with your local pharmacist for their exact opening times, but don’t forget that many simple home remedies such as anti-histamines and painkillers are sold in supermarkets too.

Dr Fiona Lemmens, a local GP and Chair of NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation which plans NHS healthcare services across the city, said:

“Many people continue to need help with lots of different health problems that aren’t to do with coronavirus, and it’s really important that people continue to seek medical advice if they need it – including over the bank holiday weekend.

“We want to remind everyone that although your usual GP surgery will be closed over the bank holiday, you can still see a GP if required by calling NHS 111, and there’s lots of support and advice that you can get from a local walk-in centre or pharmacy too..”

People should only call 999 or go to an accident & emergency department when someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. This is especially important if you they think that they or someone else is having a heart attack or stroke – every second counts with these conditions so it’s important to act fast.

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.

Dr Lemmens continues, “With the warmer weather that we’ve been enjoying recently, I’m sure that lots of people will be taking the opportunity to get outdoors over the bank holiday weekend - whether that’s taking some socially distanced exercise such as going for a walk or run, doing some gardening, or enjoying family BBQs and outdoor play with the kids.

“But don’t forget that it’s really easy to get sunburn or heat stroke, even if it’s a sunny and cloudy day. So make sure you protect yourselves and your families by wearing a high factor sunscreen, taking regular breaks in the shade, and drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration.”

Full details about how to use NHS services in Liverpool during the pandemic are available on the NHS Liverpool CCG website.