Many Lanarkshire GP practices will open extra hours on Saturdays throughout the month of January 2023, extending the times patients can receive care.
Local residents should check with their GP practice if it has specific arrangements for extended hours on a Saturday and if open patients registered with the practice will be able to make an appointment if they need urgent GP care. Or check our website at https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/gp/
Dr Mark Russell, Medical Director, said: “These extended GP opening hours will help ensure that patients in need of urgent care are able to access their own GP quickly during January.
“Those GPs who have agreed to extend their opening hours will be able to support colleagues during this extremely challenging period for which we are extremely grateful. This will help 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 at this current time.
“If anyone requires care and their GP surgery isn’t available, they should check their symptoms on NHS Inform at https://www.nhsinform.scot/symptoms-and-self-help or call NHS 24 on 111 to access out of hours care.
“I would 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.”
There are also other ways to access healthcare including opticians, some of whom open on a Saturday and can offer advice and treatment for any ‘sore eye’ issues.
And pharmacies, who provide a range of expert advice and information on your health without having to wait or make an appointment. Opening times for pharmacies across Lanarkshire 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 help and advice on a range of health conditions.
“Help with medicines is also available 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.”
