Many Lanarkshire GP practices will open extra hours during the festive period, extending the times patients can receive care.
Typically, this will involve many practices opening on 27 December and 3 January, as well as on Saturdays throughout the month of January 2023.
NHS Lanarkshire advises people to check their own GP practice’s specific arrangements. Patients registered with practices offering extended hours will be able to make an appointment if they need urgent GP care.
NHS Lanarkshire’s medical director Dr Jane Burns said: “These extended GP opening hours will help ensure that patients in need of urgent care are able to access their own GP quickly over the festive period. If anyone requires care and their GP surgery isn’t available, they should call NHS 24 on 111 to access out of hours care.
“Some pharmacies are opening for longer hours too. These steps aim to ensure that people receive the right care in the right place as quickly as possible, which will help us manage pressure across the whole healthcare system this winter.
“It’s also crucial for people to have enough of any regular medications to continue their course of treatment over this time. And it’s useful to have home remedies for common ailments ready and available if you need it so check you have medicines like paracetamol or ibuprofen at home. For little ones get age-appropriate pain remedies which you can also get in liquid form.”
“I’d like to thank the people of Lanarkshire for their continued understanding and reassure them that we’re here to look after everyone in lots of ways this winter.”
Pharmacy opening times, including over Christmas and New Year are available, and can be searched by postcode, on the NHS inform website – https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/pharmacies?hb=s08000023&q=&sortby=_distance&sortdir=Asc
Christine Gilmour, Director of Pharmacy at NHS Lanarkshire, said: “Dropping into your local pharmacy means you can get expert advice and information on your health without having to wait or make an appointment.
“Help with medicines is available too and with the NHS Pharmacy First scheme you may be eligible to receive over-the-counter medicines free of charge when you need them. Pharmacies also dispense prescriptions and most supply emergency contraception.”
