August bank holiday healthcare options

As the August bank holiday approaches, the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is reminding everyone how to access healthcare, if they need help urgently.

When GP practices are closed

GP practices will be closed on Monday 31 August.

If you need urgent medical help that cannot wait until your GP practice reopens, contact NHS 111. They can assess your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate service.

A range of NHS services will also be available over the weekend, including local pharmacies and urgent treatment centres.

The NHS recommends following its established two-step “Need Help Fast” process to make sure everyone receives the most appropriate care:

• Step 1: Manage minor illnesses at home where possible, or seek help from a local pharmacy, NHS 111 online, or the NHS App.
• Step 2: If the problem persists or is more serious, use NHS 111 when your practice is closed, who will help book you into the right service.

Pharmacies

Some pharmacies will be open on the bank holidays for advice and treatment for common illnesses. Under Pharmacy First, community pharmacies can offer treatment for seven common conditions without patients needing to see a GP. Full details are available on the LLR ICB website.

Walk-in services

To ensure patients are seen in the right place for their needs and to receive a booked appointment to keep waiting times down, it is advisable to use NHS 111 over the bank holiday weekends.

If you do want to walk into a service, you can do this at the following locations:

• Oadby Urgent Treatment Centre: 8am to 9pm weekdays, 8am to 8pm weekends and bank holiday
• Merlyn Vaz Urgent Treatment Centre: 8am to 8pm, seven days a week
• Loughborough Urgent Treatment Centre: 24 hours, seven days a week (X-ray available 8.30am to 5pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm weekends)

A few walk-in slots are also available for minor injuries only at Rutland Minor Illness and Injury Service: 1pm to 9pm, seven days a week.

Emergency departments remain strictly for life‑ or limb‑threatening emergencies only. Patients who attend A&E with non‑emergency issues may be redirected to more suitable services.

Mental health support

For urgent mental health needs:

• Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option
• Text 0748 063 5199 for a response within four hours

If you become unwell while away from home in the UK

If you are travelling within the UK and become unwell, use NHS 111

On days where GP practices are open, your own practice should still be your first port of call. They can provide online, telephone or video consultations, and arrange for prescriptions to be sent to a pharmacy of your choice anywhere in the country. If you rely on regular medication, please don’t forget to pack it before you travel on holiday.