The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) has issued advice for the public to support them in getting the right care over the Christmas and New Year period, when they need help quickly, and has assured people there are services available throughout the festive period.
They are also asking people to plan ahead if they take regular prescribed medication, by making sure they have enough to last until after the New Year and continuing to take their medication over the holiday period, to avoid flare-ups in their condition.
GP practices across LLR will be closed between Thursday 25 and Sunday 28 December. They will reopen on Monday 29 December until Wednesday 31 December. They will then close again on Thursday 1 January, with normal service resuming from Friday 2 January.
The local NHS recommends following its two-step process, Need Help Fast, for getting the right care, in the right place, particularly during the festive period:
- Step 1: Try to manage the problem yourself or get help from a local pharmacy, NHS 111 online, or the NHS App. Details of pharmacies which are open over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays can be found at: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/bank-holiday-pharmacy-opening-times/
- Step 2: If that doesn’t work, or the problem is more serious, contact your GP practice. When your practice is closed, contact NHS 111. They will help book you the right appointment in the right place. This could be at your own GP practice, a pharmacy (through the Pharmacy First scheme), an urgent treatment centre, or another GP practice or health centre (during evenings, weekends and bank holidays throughout the festive period).
Professor Nil Sanganee, Medical Director of the LLR Integrated Care Board, said: “Please do seek help when you need it, to avoid your condition becoming more serious. There are NHS services that will still be open throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
“Some pharmacies will be open on bank holidays for advice and medication for common illnesses. If self-care hasn’t worked or the problem is more serious, contact NHS 111.
“The emergency department is for life and limb-threatening emergencies only. Please be aware that if you go to the emergency department and it isn’t the right place for you, you may be asked to use another service instead.”
If needed, there are also several walk-in services across the city and counties that can be used without an appointment. Details can be found at: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/walk-in-services/
However, it is recommended to use NHS 111 in the first instance so that they can arrange an appointment in the right place.
If it’s a life-threatening emergency, people should go to the emergency department or call 999.
In a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option, or text 0748 063 5199 for a response within four hours. Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafes can also provide advice and support for people who are struggling with their mental health. Their revised timetable for the Christmas and New Year period can be found at: https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/service/neighbourhood-mh-cafes/
For further information when you need help fast, visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/need-help-fast/
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