Many Lanarkshire GP practices will also open extra hours during the festive period, extending the times patients can access urgent medical care.
Typically, this will involve many practices opening on the Public Holidays of Tuesday 26th December 2023 and Tuesday 2nd January 2024 as well as on Saturdays throughout the month of January 2024.
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 executive medical director Dr Chris Deighan said: “These extended GP opening hours will help ensure that patients in need of urgent GP 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 over the festive period too. These steps aim to ensure that people are able to access the right care in the right place as quickly as possible, which will help us manage pressure across the whole healthcare system this winter.
“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 and GP practice opening times, including over Christmas and New Year are available on the NHS Lanarkshire internet Health Hub: https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/
