Residents are being reminded that most local GP practices and pharmacies will be closed for at least part of the Christmas and New Year period, and are being advised on the options available to them.
There are many steps you can take to help look after yourself at what is always a very busy time for NHS health services. These include:
1. Self-care
You can safely treat the symptoms of many minor ailments at home, with rest and over-the-counter medicines. Ask a pharmacist for advice at the first sign of any illness, even coughs and colds.
2. Use trusted NHS online services
The NHS Choices website offers advice on a range of health issues and is a useful place to turn for medical advice.
If you are a parent or carer, another resource on offer in B&NES is the paediatric HANDiApp. It’s free to download to smartphones and tablets and contains expert advice about the most common childhood illnesses, as well as lots of specific advice about how common ailments can be treated at home. Download for free from iTunes or Google Play.
3. Ask your pharmacist
Pharmacists are an excellent source of health advice, particularly about long-term conditions and common illnesses such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment to see them and many have private consultation areas. Your pharmacist will tell you if you need further medical attention.
If you have followed the steps above and still need medical help:
4. Call 111
If your GP surgery is closed and you need urgent medical help but are not sure where to go, you should make a free phone call to NHS 111, which is available 24/7.
An adviser will ask questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need or direct you to the best service for you in your area. If required, the adviser will book you an appointment with your nearest GP out-of-hours service or even call an ambulance if needed.
5. Emergency departments and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies
Emergency departments, 999 and the ambulance service are for life-threatening emergencies and accidents including; loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.
Emergency departments are likely to be extremely busy over Christmas and New Year with long waiting times, so please call NHS 111 for advice first if you are not sure where to go for help.
Try to avoid visiting relatives in hospital over the Christmas and New Year period if you have any symptoms of norovirus – the ‘winter sickness bug’. Wait until 48 hours after your symptoms have passed to prevent passing it to others.
GP Practice Opening Times
All 24 GP practices in B&NES will be closed on public holidays over Christmas and New Year. This includes:
- Tuesday 25th December 2018;
- Wednesday 26th December 2018;
- Tuesday 1st January 2019.
Evening and weekend appointments with GPs and nurses are now available at practices in the B&NES area – just contact your GP surgery in the usual way to check availability.
Pharmacy Opening Times
Christmas Eve – Monday 24th December 2018
Pharmacies open as usual
Christmas Day – Tuesday 25th December 2018
10am – 2pm | Jhoots Chemist – 88 Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 2PP – Tel: 01225 833003.
1pm to 3pm | Well Pharmacy, 3 Claremont Terrace, Camden Road, Bath, BA1 6EH – Tel: 01225 319445.
2.30pm – 7pm | Jhoots Pharmacy, 28 Brock Street, Bath, BA1 2LN – Tel: 01225 426998.
3pm – 5pm | Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – Tel: 0117 9863247
9am – 11am – Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, Keynsham, BS31 2BH – Tel: 0117 3294355
11am – 1pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD – Tel: 01761 413251.
9am – 11am – Shaunaks Pharmacy, 15 Bath Road, Peasedown, Bath, BA2 8DH – Tel: 01761 432235.
Boxing Day – Wednesday 26th December 2018
7am – 7pm | Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate. Bath, BA1 1AT – Tel: 01225 461251
10.30am – 4.30pm | Boots Pharmacy, 33-35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL – Tel: 01225 482069
9am – 5pm | Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR – Tel: 01225 422740
10am – 4pm | Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – Tel: 0117 9863247
10am – 4pm | Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD – Tel: 01761 413251
New Year’s Eve – Monday 31st December 2018
Pharmacies open as usual, with the exception of The Bathwick Pharmacy in Argyle Street, Bath, which is closed all day.
New Year’s Day – Tuesday 1st January 2019
10.30am – 4.30pm | Boots Pharmacy, 33-35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL – Tel: 01225 482069
9am – 5pm | Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR – Tel: 01225 422740
9am – 6pm | Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate. Bath, BA1 1AT – Tel: 01225 461251
9am – 6pm | The Bathwick Pharmacy, 8 Argyle Street, Bath, BA2 4BQ – Tel: 01225 464429
10am – 4pm | Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – Tel: 0117 9863247
10am – 4pm | Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD – Tel: 01761 413251
Riverside Clinic, James St West, Bath
Monday 24th December – Walk-in clinic 8.15am – 12pm
Tuesday 25th December – Closed
Wednesday 26th December – Closed
Thursday 27th December – Walk-in clinic 8.15am – 12pm
Friday 28th December – Walk-in clinic 8.15am – 12pm
Saturday 29th December – Closed
Sunday 30th December – Closed
Monday 31st December – Walk-in clinic 8.15am – 12pm
Tuesday 1st January 2019 – Closed
Normal service resumes on Wednesday 2nd January 2019
Keynsham Clinic, Keynsham Health Centre, St Clement’s Road, BS31 1AF
(Only opens on Wednesdays)
Wednesday 26th December – Closed
Normal service resumes on Wednesday 2nd January 2019
