Getting NHS help fast over the Easter holidays

As the Easter bank holiday approaches, the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is reminding everyone how to access healthcare, if they need help urgently, over the long weekend and during the resident doctors’ strike which follows immediately afterwards.

Dr Andy Ahyow, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the Leicester Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB), said: “Although GP practices and many pharmacies will be closed over the long Easter weekend, there are still plenty of services available. If you are not sure where to go, use NHS 111, who will help book you into the right service.

“If you are unwell or injured you should seek help straight away and not wait until after the weekend. This is especially important because hospital services will be extremely busy next week, as resident doctors will be on strike immediately after Easter.”

When GP practices are closed

GP practices will be closed over the Easter bank holiday weekend, from Friday 3 April to Monday 6 April. Normal services will resume on 7 April. There are other services available throughout the weekend, including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres and new same-day appointments at health centres. Appointments are available via NHS 111.

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, who will help book you into the right service.

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 or your GP practice.

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

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.

Pharmacies open over Easter

Some pharmacies will be open on the bank holidays for advice and treatment for common illnesses. Full details are available on the LLR ICB website.

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 over the Easter break and become unwell:

• Your own GP practice should still be your first port of call on days when they are open.
• 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.

Resident doctors’ strike

Resident doctors, who work mainly in hospitals, will begin a planned six-day strike immediately after the Easter bank holiday, from 7 April until 13 April.

During the strike:

• Please attend any booked appointments, unless you are contacted to reschedule. The NHS will inform patients directly if their appointment needs to change.
• GP practices will remain open as normal.
• Services are expected to be busier than usual, so please use the “Need Help Fast” guidance to help the NHS prioritise the most urgent cases.
• Continue to consider self‑care for minor conditions and use pharmacies, GP practices or NHS 111 for more serious issues.
• Emergency departments remain for life‑threatening situations only.
• For mental health crises, follow the same mental health support routes listed above.

Further information

For more detailed advice on getting help fast when you need it, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/need-help-fast/