With the May bank holidays approaching (May 6th and May 27th), the NHS is asking local people to think carefully about how best to look after their own and their family’s health over the two long weekends.
People are being urged to choose services wisely and to take some simple steps to help ensure care is available to those that need it most.
Your community pharmacist will be happy to offer advice on essential medicines you should keep at home. By doing so, you will be best prepared to deal with minor illnesses and injuries.
In addition, local pharmacies are now able to provide medicines for some conditions, if appropriate, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. These include: earache in children, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. They can also signpost you to your GP, A&E or other relevant local service, where necessary.
If you or a family member feels unwell you can use the 111 online symptom checker as a first port of call or you can also telephone 111 for more urgent health concerns. Both are available 24 hours a day. Call 999 only for life-threatening emergencies.
Extended access appointments on a Saturday
Canvey patients can also access appointments at the Primary Care Centre on Saturdays, from 9am to 5pm. You can book these by calling your own practice during their normal opening hours and asking about extended access appointments, or by calling the service on the day to see if there are any appointments available.
Remember to order prescription medications as early as possible ahead of the bank holiday as many GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the bank holiday weekend.
