Archive for December, 2013

See opening times for Sefton’s sexual health service – ISIS – over the festive holidays by visiting the website.

This handy guide will help you access the right health advice and treatment over the holiday period should you or a member of your family become ill and need medical help.

1) Self care – stock up on medicines for coughs and colds at home to see you through the winter and make sure you are up to date with repeat prescriptions

2) www.nhs.uk – to check symptoms, get answers to common health questions, enquire about non-urgent health matters and find local services

3) Pharmacist — for advice on common winter illnesses, and the best medicines to treat them – to find your nearest pharmacy log on to www.nhs.uk  or text pharmacy to 64746.
Download a list of pharmacies open on Christmas Day and other Bank Holidays

4) GP – If you need medical attention your GP is your first point of contact for non-emergency illnesses which you can’t treat yourself, and practices can offer same day appointments if necessary.

5) GP out of hours service – When the surgery is closed, you can still see a local GP by calling your usual practice number and following the instructions to connect to the service

6) 111 – when you need medical help fast but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 111 – free from landlines and mobiles

7) Dental services – the emergency dental service can help if you have an urgent problem.�
See contact details and opening times

As many of us rush round making last minute preparations for the festive period, the NHS in Southport and Formby is reminding people to think about the things they can do to stay in the best of health over the holidays.

NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (NHS SFCCG) says as well as shopping for those final bits and bobs, picking up repeat prescriptions and stocking up the medicine cabinet can also help the festivities go smoothly.

Dr Niall Leonard, chair of NHS SFCCG, said: “No one wants to be ill over Christmas and New Year but being prepared can make a big difference if you do become poorly, particularly on Bank Holidays when your doctor’s surgery will be closed.

“It’s easy to forget to the simple things like ordering repeat prescriptions in plenty of time, or stocking up on preparations for headaches, colds and diarrhoea, when we’re caught up with last minute preparations but it’s well worth sparing these things a thought if you don’t want to be caught out.”

“If you do become ill and can’t treat yourself there are a number of ways to get help for health problems, whatever your age, young or old. 

“Local pharmacies are happy to give free expert and confidential advice about a wide range of common illnesses such as coughs and sniffles and some are open on Christmas Day and Bank Holidays.   

“GP practices are the first point of contact for non emergency illness that can’t be treated at home. Even when practices are closed, the GP out of hours service ensures you can still see a doctor if you need to round the clock. Simply call your usual practice number and follow the instructions.

“Remember, accident and emergency departments and ambulance services are for life-threatening injuries and conditions like strokes and heart attacks.

“If you’re aged over 65, you’re pregnant, or if you have a long term condition like asthma and diabetes, it’s still not too late to have a flu jab. This year all two and three year olds can also get protection from flu, just ask at your GP practice.”