GP surgeries across Liverpool will be closed for the Queen’s platinum Jubilee bank holiday.
While surgeries will remain closed today, Liverpool CCG has issued advice for anyone in need of help over the course of the bank holiday. The local NHS is reminding people that they can still access urgent health care over the course of the Jubilee weekend - including today, June 3.
Advice from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) asks that people who need to see a health professional call 111 at the first instance. The NHS 111 hotline is able to direct patients to the most appropriate service which could include a face-to-face appointment with an out of hours GP, or at a local hospital A&E department.
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However Prof John Brennan, interim Medical Director from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said that walking into A&E departments will not usually be the best way to get help - unless in the case of a serious medical emergency. Prof Brennan added that “those with a pre-booked appointment from NHS 111 will be given priority when attending A&E departments."
Over the bank holiday, patients can also attend local NHS walk-in centres for treatment and advice. This can be done without a pre-booked appointment, with all of Liverpool’s NHS walk-in centres open daily, from 8am to 8pm.
People are also being asked to check if local pharmacies are open before travelling, with many closing for the bank holiday. You can view your nearest walk-in centre here. Advice suggests to call 111 to find out which local pharmacies will be open.
Dr Janet Bliss, Chair of NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the organisation that plans health services for the city, said: “We know patients can feel unsure about what to do if they become unwell during a bank holiday weekend when their GP practice is closed, but NHS help is still available when you need it. Simply contact NHS 111 and they will help direct you the right care for your situation, ensuring you get seen as quickly as possible.”
Professor John Brennan, Interim Medical Director from Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “When patients contact NHS 111 first, it helps us to make sure they are treated in the right place and are seen as quickly as possible. This is especially important during busy periods, such as bank holiday weekends, when our hospital Emergency Departments can become very busy.
“Walking into our Emergency Departments is not usually the quickest way to get help. Unless a patient has a serious medical emergency, those with a pre-booked appointment from NHS 111 will be given priority, so contacting NHS 111 first really is the quickest way for most patients to make sure they are seen in the right place and treated quickly.”
