Limited access to doctors, pharmacies, dentists and opticians can cause panic over long Bank Holiday weekends. But there are options in Greater Manchester if patients need out-of-hours services.
To make sure that people remain safe as the Easter Holidays get underway, here are all the details you need to know about where you can get medical care over the coming weekend. They include dental help, eye care, GP services, and pharmacy services.
The Easter Bank Holiday comes as the rate of Covid-19 remains high across all age groups and the NHS in Greater Manchester continues to be very busy with high demand for services, high levels of hospital bed occupancy and tackling the elective backlog.
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Dental help: The Greater Manchester dental helpline (0333 332 3800) is available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and Bank Holidays for those who need help urgently when their practice is closed, or do not have a regular dentist.
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Eye care services: Find a Practice - Search for your nearest participating optical practice (primaryeyecare.co.uk) . People can seek help in the community to avoid a visit to hospital for accident and emergencies related to eyes. This service has been set up so patients can access free urgent NHS care at some optometry practices locally. Some optometrists have equipment to take scans of the eye and others have had additional training to allow them to prescribe eye medications. Optometrists can share information with the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital to get an extra opinion when required. Sometimes patients may be sent onto the hospital if further care is needed. You can find more information here Find a Practice - Search for your nearest participating optical practice (primaryeyecare.co.uk) or if you live in Salford, call 0161 2590595.
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GP out-of-hours service: To access care out-of-hours between 6.30pm and 8.00am, call your GP surgery on their usual number. Specific hours and the way to book appointments may vary.
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Pharmacy opening times: Easter 2022: Pharmacy opening hours – Greater Manchester LPC (communitypharmacy.org.uk)
For mental health care, these are the following details Greater Manchester residents can use:
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Mental Health support can be found at: https://hub.gmhsc.org.uk/mental-health/covid-19-resources/ .
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Greater Manchester crisis phone helplines provide support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages, including children, who need urgent mental health support. Our crisis lines aim to help people who need urgent mental health support because they are experiencing emotional distress and are struggling to cope.
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The crisis helplines also take calls from family members, carers or anyone who is concerned that someone they know is experiencing a mental health crisis.
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The crisis helpline phone numbers are as follows:
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Bolton, Manchester, Salford, and Trafford: 0800 953 0285 (freephone)
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Bury, Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport, and Tameside & Glossop: 0800 014 9995 (freephone)
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Wigan: 0800 051 3253 (freephone)
Dr Tim Dalton, GP, chair of Wigan Borough CCG and member of Greater Manchester GP Board said: “We know that sometimes people can feel unsure about where to go for help if they become unwell over a Bank Holiday weekend. While we hope that everyone enjoys the weekend, it’s vital they seek medical help when they need it. There are lots of options available to people, and they can still get a face-to-face appointment with a GP if needed.
“Accident and emergency departments and 999 are there to treat the most serious and life-threatening conditions, so we are asking the public to think about what service is best in the first instance. A nearby pharmacy, GP and 111 online or telephone can all help.
“With the Covid-19 vaccine now available to all children aged 5 and over, we would strongly urge parents and families to grab the jab before the Easter weekend, particularly if you’re planning any family gatherings with grandparents or other relatives who might be more vulnerable to Covid-19.”
People must, where they can, continue to wear a face covering in health and care settings, according to Greater Manchester health bosses.
Lots of useful information on common health conditions can be found online on the NHS website - NHS (www.nhs.uk) .
