As Sefton residents prepare to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, NHS leaders are sharing information on how to get healthcare help while enjoying the long bank holiday weekend.

Think 111 first

Anyone in need of urgent NHS care, but it is not a 999 emergency, is advised to contact NHS 111 which is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians who will direct you to the most appropriate health service, including appointments with a GP outside of your practice’s regular opening hours.

Dr Pete Chamberlain, chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on bank holidays.

“You can visit 111.nhs.uk online or call 111 over the phone to get healthcare support. You can also call 18001 111 on a textphone.”

Plan ahead for prescriptions

Residents are also advised to order their repeat prescriptions early, to make sure they have enough supply while some services are closed over the bank holiday weekend.

Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “Pharmacies and GP practices may change their opening hours over the bank holiday, so it’s best to be prepared and plan ahead.

“Your local pharmacists are highly qualified and can give free, confidential advice on many healthcare concerns, as well as help you get your medicine cabinet stocked up with treatments for common ailments.”

Jubilee bank holiday pharmacy opening times

A number of pharmacies in Sefton are open on the bank holiday Thursday and Friday. Opening times for these pharmacies can be found on the link below when they become available. Residents are advised to call ahead to their local pharmacy before travelling, to confirm that they are open as advertised.

• southseftonccg.nhs.uk/jubilee-bank-hol-2022
• southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/jubilee-bank-hol-2022

Booking GP appointments

Anyone registered with a GP surgery in Sefton can book a routine, non urgent evening and weekend appointment with a doctor, practice nurse or other healthcare professional through the ‘GP Extra’ service in south Sefton and the ‘7 day GP service’ in Southport and Formby. The opening hours for these services over the bank holiday weekend are:

7 day GP service - The Family Surgery, 107 Liverpool Rd, Birkdale

Thursday 2 June: 5pm-9pm

Friday 3 June: 9am-1pm

Saturday 4 June: 9am-1pm

Sunday 5 June: 9am-1pm

GP Extra - Litherland Town Hall, Hatton Hill Rd, Litherland

Thursday 2 June: 10am-1pm

Friday 3 June: 10am-1pm (Physiotherapist available 7pm-8pm)

Saturday 4 June: 10am-1pm

Sunday 5 June: 10am-1pm

Patients can pre-book routine appointments with these services by calling their own GP practice during their usual practice opening hours. Find out more about the ‘GP Extra’ service and ‘7 day GP service’ and their usual opening hours at:

• southseftonccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/gp-extra
• southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/7-day-gp-service