Know how to get NHS help over the Easter weekend

The local NHS is reminding people that they can still access urgent care over the Easter bank holiday weekend, especially on Friday 15 April (Good Friday) and Monday 18 April (Easter Monday) when GP practices will be closed.

People who need to be seen by a health professional face to face are being asked to contact NHS 111,who will help direct themto the most appropriate service for advice or treatment.

NHS 111 is staffed by a team of trained professionals and clinicians who provide over the phone triage, and can arrange a face-to-face appointment with an out-of-hours GP, or at a local hospital A&E department if needed.

Alternatively, people can also attend a local NHS Walk-in Centre without an appointment. All of Liverpool’s Walk-in Centres are open from early until late (8am-8pm), seven days a week, including bank holidays. You can find your nearest Walk-in centre here.

Parents are reminded that they can access help for children who are unwell at any Walk-in Centre, or use Alder Hey’s new symptom checker at: www.alderhey.nhs.uk. It offers advice on common symptoms in children, and when to seek further help from their A&E department.

People are also reminded that they can get advice and treatment for lots of minor illnesses and ailments by visiting a local pharmacy – without the need for an appointment.

Many local pharmacies are still open over the Easter bank holidays, but some will be closed, and others will be operating with different opening times to normal – so please contact NHS 111 for further advice on your nearest open branch.

To access NHS 111, go to 111.nhs.uk or dial 111 at any time – it operates 24 hours a day, every day.

BSL users can use the NHS 111 video interpreter service by going to www.interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111.