Health professionals in Sefton are encouraging residents to contact NHS 111 first if they need urgent medical advice and are highlighting the wide range of support available over the August bank holiday weekend (28-30 August).

People who need urgent health care across Sefton are being encouraged to contact NHS 111, by visiting www.111.nhs.uk or by calling 111 if you do not have access to the internet. NHS 111 is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians, who will direct you to the most appropriate health service. It is fast and simple and the easiest way to be sign posted to the right service that you or a loved one needs. This could be a GP out-of-hours, a walk-in centre or a local pharmacy. In an emergency, you should call 999.

Dr Pete Chamberlain, GP and chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “NHS 111 is there any time to advise you how to safely manage your condition at home, or direct you to the right health service for your needs. This may include a local walk-in centre, GP, pharmacy or hospital. If appropriate, 111 are able to book appointments with GP out-of-hours over the bank holiday weekend too.”

“Remember, in a life-threatening medical emergency such as loss of consciousness, stroke or serious injury, you should always call 999 straight away.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The NHS website has a wealth of trusted information and support as well as really helpful guides to some of the most common conditions that people can often treat at home.

In addition, many local pharmacies will be available over the bank holiday weekend to provide advice and support on how to treat some of these conditions. You can also still get your COVID-19 jab over the bank holiday at walk-in vaccination sites.”

For anyone over 16 in need of urgent mental health support as they no longer feel able to cope or be in control of their situation, there is a free 24-hour telephone service on 0800 145 6570. There is also free, confidential, 24/7 text message support for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. The service, run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you, to take your next steps towards feeling better. For this service text HEAL to 85258.

Litherland Walk in Centre is open 8am to 8pm and is operating a telephone triage and appointment system to keep everyone safe by supporting social distancing. Local residents are advised to book an appointment before visiting the centre by calling 0151 475 4667.

Many local pharmacies are open over the bank holiday weekend and pharmacists can offer expert advice on appropriate treatments for a wide range of conditions affecting adults and children.

The NHS has produced a range of easy to follow online ‘self-help’ guides to common conditions such as indigestion, ear infections, sprains and strains and Mersey Care have developed their own range of self help guides for a range of physical and mental health conditions. You can also find trusted advice about hundreds of health conditions on NHS.uk and the NHS app which provides secure access to a range of NHS services.

For detailed information on where you can go for your COVID-19 vaccine and information on other health services over the bank holiday weekend please visit the CCG website. 

For details of pharmacy opening times in south Sefton over the bank holiday, click here.

Information on urgent mental health support can be found via: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/urgent-help and Mersey Care’s range of self-help guides can be found on: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/are-you-a-service-user/self-help-guides

The latest information about Litherland Walk-In Centre can be found at: www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/south-sefton/walk-centre-litherland

And a range of helpful self help videos to common conditions and how to treat them is available at bit.ly/SelfCareSefton

You can also check @NHSSSCCG or @NHSSFCCG on Twitter, or ring NHS 111.