Locals reminded about accessing health and care services this Christmas

With Christmas just days away, people living in B&NES are being asked to prepare by making sure they know how to access medical care during the holiday period.

While all GP practices will be closed for at least part of the Christmas and New Year period, some pharmacists will be open and there are lots of other ways of accessing medical help and advice should it be needed.

Tips have been offered on how to look after yourself and where to go for help during what is always a very busy time for NHS health services. These include:

Self care

If you have minor bruises, minor cuts and grazes, a sprain or a slight cough or cold, you are best to deal with it yourself in the first instance.

It’s worth keeping a few handy medicines and treatments at home for when you might need them such as painkillers, cough and cold remedies, decongestants, indigestion tablets and a first aid kit but remember to keep them out of reach of children. If you’re not sure, go to a pharmacist or phone NHS111.

Ask your pharmacist

If you want some expert advice quickly, try a pharmacist as your first port of call. They can provide advice and treatments for common health problems such as coughs, colds, flu and rashes.

You don’t need an appointment to see a pharmacist and many have private consultation areas. Your pharmacist will be able to tell you if you need further medical attention.

Use the NHS 111 service

If you’re really not sure what to do, and your GP surgery is closed, NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for help.

If you think you might need to go to the Emergency Department or need another NHS urgent care service, don’t know who to call for medical help or need information about a health issue, give them a call. You can also go online to 111.nhs.uk

A&E/999

These services are for life-threatening emergencies only such as loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped.

A&E is likely to be extremely busy over the holidays with long waiting times, so please call NHS 111 for advice first if you are not sure where to go.

All GP practices in B&NES will be closed on public holidays over Christmas and New Year. This includes:

• Wednesday 25th December
• Thursday  26th December
• Wednesday 1st January 2019

A list of pharmacies open in B&NES on days over the festive period can be found below:

Christmas Eve – Tuesday 24th December

• Pharmacies open as usual

Christmas Day – Wednesday 25th December

• 9am – 1pm
  Jhoots Pharmacy, 88 Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 2PP – 01225 833003
• 9am – 1pm
  Keynsham Pharmacy, 15 Station Road, Keynsham, BS31 2BH – 0117 329 4355
• 11am – 1pm
  Westfield Pharmacy
  9 Elm Tree Avenue, Westfield, Radstock, BA3 3SX – 01761 434692
• 1pm – 3pm
  Hawes Whiston & Company, 38 St James Square, Bath, BA1 2TU – 01225 424662
• 3pm – 5pm
  Lloyds Pharmacy, 54 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – 0117 986 3678

Boxing Day, Thursday 26th December

• 7am – 7pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 1 Newark Street, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AT – 01225 461251
• 10.30am -4.30pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 33-35 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL – 01225 482069
• 9am – 5pm
  Lloyds Pharmacy Inside Sainsbury’s. Green Park Station, Bath, BA1 2DR – 01225422740
• 10am – 4pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – 0117 986 3247
• 11am – 2pm
  Shaunaks Pharmacy, 15 Bath Road, Peasdown St John, BA2 8DH – 01761 432235

New Year’s Eve, Tuesday 31st December

• Pharmacies open as usual

New Year’s Day – Wednesday 1st January

• 9am – 6pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 1 Newark Street, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AT – 01225 461251
• 10.30am -4.30pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 33-35 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL – 01225 482069
• 9am – 5pm
  Lloyds Pharmacy Inside Sainsbury’s. Green Park Station, Bath, BA1 2DR – 01225422740
• 10am – 4pm
  Boots Pharmacy, 40 High Street, Keynsham, BS31 1DX – 0117 986 3247
• 11am – 2pm
  Shaunaks Pharmacy, 15 Bath Road, Peasdown St John, BA2 8DH – 01761 432235

You can download a handy map of local pharmacists, showing their opening times, here.