People urged to plan for health needs ahead of August bank holiday

The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is asking people to be prepared ahead of the August bank holiday weekend, which comes immediately after another period of industrial action.

Hospital consultants will be on strike between 7am on  Thursday 24 August and 7am on Saturday 26 August, meaning all services are expected to be under pressure. GP practices and many community pharmacies will then be closed on bank holiday Monday 28 August. 

Dr Nil Sanganee, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, said: “If you take regular prescription medication please make sure you have enough to last the extended weekend and avoid being caught short and running out of supplies. You can order your medication using the NHS App, as well as through your GP practice. 

“Last minute orders put a strain on pharmacy resources, with the risk that you may not be able to get hold of your medication in time. Ordering early will save time and will make sure you can collect your medicine from your nearest pharmacy and not have to travel further.”

People can check the Get in the Know website for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, to find out how to get the right care as quickly as possible when they are unwell or injured, with all the information on local urgent care services in one place. It also offers advice on summer health, including hay fever, asthma, insect bites, sunburn and how to access health services if you’re ill while away from home. Visit: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/your-health/get-in-the-know 

For all urgent health needs over the bank holiday, people are advised to use NHS111 online www.111.nhs.uk or they can phone 111. This service provides self-care advice on common ailments and, if necessary, they can arrange for you to see a nurse or doctor at a local urgent care service. NHS111 online can also be used for emergency repeat prescription guidance.

Additionally, local community pharmacists are qualified health professionals and are the right people to see for advice on minor ailments and for over-the-counter medicines. Bank holiday opening times for pharmacists in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will be available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/midlands/nhs-england-and-nhs-improvement-midlands-work/bank-holiday-pharmacy-opening-times/.

For mental health support, the Central Access Point (CAP), which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, can arrange for you to speak to someone who can assess your needs and provide advice or refer you directly to an appropriate service. In Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland you can contact CAP on 0116 295 3060 and 0808 800 3302.  

The 999 service should only be used for an urgent, life threatening, medical situation, where emergency assistance is required.

The NHS is open, even when GP practices are closed, so if you have an urgent care need there is no need to wait – seek help when you need it and get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.