19 December 2019
Help Us Help You: Know what to do this Christmas
Health leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South
Gloucestershire are urging local people to 'know what to do' if
they need urgent healthcare support over the Christmas period.
Winter is a busy time for many NHS services, but the festive
period often sees a further increase in people attending busy
A&E departments. Many people who attend A&E could be
treated more quickly and appropriately at one of the many NHS
urgent care services which remain open throughout Christmas and New
Year.
These include local minor injuries units in Bristol, Clevedon
and Yate, which will continue to provide walk-in treatment for
minor injuries like sprains and strains including on evenings and
weekends.
More GP appointments are also being made available to patients
on evenings and weekends and the GP out-of-hours service will
continue to operate during the hours that practices are closed.
Emergency pharmacists are also open over the Christmas bank
holidays. As well as dispensing emergency prescriptions,
pharmacists can support you with health advice and offer medicines
for a wide range of common health problems.
For people who think they need urgent medical advice, the NHS 111 service is
available by phone or online 24 hours a day and is free to use at
any time.
Dr Lesley Ward, Local GP and Bristol, North Somerset and
South Gloucestershire CCG's clinical lead for unplanned care,
said:
"I hope that everyone enjoys a happy and healthy Christmas
break, without the need for any urgent or emergency care services.
If you do need healthcare urgently please remember that there's a
wide range of services available to you throughout the festive
period.
"By using the right service for your needs you'll be helping us
to help you, while also making sure that our busy A&E
departments can focus on those who need them most.
"If you have an urgent medical problem but you're not sure what
to do, remember NHS 111 can help. Depending on the situation you'll
be advised on the best service for your needs or connected with a
medical professional."
Further information on local urgent care services is available
on the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire NHS
website at www.bnssgccg.nhs.uk.
Pharmacy opening times over Christmas:
Some pharmacies will be closed or operating at reduced hours
during the festive break. You can view all pharmacy opening times
here.
Christmas opening times for minor injuries
units in Bristol, North
Somerset and South Gloucestershire:
Urgent Care Centre, South Bristol Community
Hospital
Christmas Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
Boxing Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
New Year's Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
North Somerset Community Hospital, Clevedon
Christmas Day: 10am-6pm (last patient admitted 5.30pm)
Boxing Day: 10am-6pm (last patient admitted 5.30pm)
New Year's Day: 10am-6pm (last patient admitted 5.30pm)
Minor Injury Unit, Yate
Christmas Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
Boxing Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
New Year's Day: 8.00am - 8.00pm
Walk-in centre
Broadmead Medical Centre
Christmas Day: Closed
Boxing Day: 11.00am - 5pm last patient admitted 3.30pm unless
capacity
New Year's Day: 11.00am - 5pm last patient admitted 3.30pm
unless capacity
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