The local NHS are reminding Rotherham people when health services will be open as Christmas approaches and celebrations get into full swing.
Health services across Rotherham experience extreme pressure at Christmas, however help is at hand for those who need it. Several Rotherham pharmacies will be open when other health services and shops are closed over the Christmas and New Year holidays if you need to buy over-the-counter medicines because you’re unwell.
Some pharmacies across Rotherham will be open on 1st January, which falls on a Sunday this year and is not a bank holiday. Opening times for pharmacies across Rotherham can be viewed on the NHS Rotherham CCG website at http://www.rotherhamccg.nhs.uk/pharmacy.htm.
Remember, your local pharmacist is a mine of useful health care information if you’re feeling under the weather. They are highly qualified to give advice on a wide range of common health problems and the best medicines to treat them. They prescribe from a range of medications so you don’t even have to go to your doctor for some things.
24 hour helpline, NHS 111, is open throughout Christmas to provide advice when you are feeling ill. Advisors will also arrange out-of-hours appointments with a GP when practices and Walk-in-Centre are closed.
Dr Jason Page, local GP and GP lead for Primary Care, said: “Most ailments and illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, aches and pains can be self-treated at home with a well-stocked medicines cabinet. NHS 111 and pharmacists are highly qualified to give advice on a wide range of common health problems and the beat way to treat them. However if your symptoms are severe and won’t go away then there are doctors available to provide advice.
“Choosing the right treatment over the next couple of weeks will help patients get better quicker and help clinicians to help those in most need of medical attention.”
Local GP practices will be open throughout the festive period, closing on bank holidays and weekends. For those who need to see a GP or nurse at weekends and on bank holidays the Walk-in-Centre, based at the Rotherham Community Health Centre, will be open 8am to 9pm.
Three Rotherham practices will run a new Saturday GP Service Pilot for routine pre-booked appointments covering all of their local population, between Saturday 31st December 2016 to Saturday 1st April 2017, 8am to 11am. It gives those who may be unable to attend during the week access to a GP appointment. Patients are encouraged to speak to a receptionist at their own practice who can book an appointment and will advise where to attend. The appointments are pre-booked at your own practice. Only booked patients will be allowed into the premises – no on the day or urgent appointments are available.
