The Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group has issued advice to local residents about what they can do over Easter if they need medical help or advice.
People in B&NES are being encouraged to follow the advice given in the ‘3 before GP’ campaign, which Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group is backing:
- Self-care
You can safely treat the symptoms of many minor ailments at home, with rest and over-the-counter medicines.
- 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 guidance. Another resource on offer in B&NES is the paediatric HANDi app.
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.
- 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 three steps above and still need medical help:
- Call 111
If your GP surgery is closed and you’re not sure where to go then 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 the GP out-of-hours service at the Royal United Hospital in Bath or Paulton Memorial Hospital.
- Emergency departments and 999 are for life-threatening emergencies
Emergency departments 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 the Easter weekend with long waiting times, so please call NHS 111 for advice first if you are not sure where to go.
GP Practice Opening Times
The 26 GP practices in B&NES will be closed over the Easter weekend. This includes:
Friday 30th March 2018, Saturday 31st March 2018, Sunday 1st April 2018, Monday 2nd April 2018.
Pharmacy Opening Times
Good Friday | 30th March 2018
10.30am to 4.30pm – Boots, 33-35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL – Tel: 01225 482069
10am to 4pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR – Tel: 01225 332046
8.30am to 5.30pm (lunch 2pm to 2.30pm) – Superdrug, 30-32 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL – Tel: 01225 336198
11am to 4pm – Lifestyle Pharmacy, 15 Westgate Street Bath BA1 1BE – Tel: 01225 465576
8am to 7pm – Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AT – Tel: 01225 461251
10am to 4pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD – Tel: 01761 413251
Easter Saturday | 31st March 2018
Pharmacies open as usual.
Easter Sunday | 1st April 2018
11am to 1pm – Westfield Pharmacy, 9 Elmtree Avenue, Westfield, Radstock, BA3 3SX – Tel: 01761 434692.
1pm to 3pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, 88 Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 2PP – Tel: 01225 833003
3pm to 5pm – Chandag Road Pharmacy, 47 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1PW – Tel: 0117 9864121
Easter Monday | 2nd April 2018
10:30am to 4.30pm – Boots, 33-35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL – Tel: 01225 482069
10am to 4pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR – Tel: 01225 332046
11am to 4pm – Lifestyle Pharmacy, 15 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1BE – Tel: 01225 465576
8am to 7pm – Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AT – Tel: 01225 461251
10am to 4pm – Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD – Tel: 01761 413251
