With May Day approaching, health professionals asking residents to examine their options should they fall ill

Henry James 

WITH May Day fast approaching, local health professionals are reminding people to examine their options should they or their family members become unwell over the long weekend.

• Many GP practices will be closed on the bank holiday, so it is wise for people to think about repeat prescriptions they will need before the holiday period begins.
  Dr John Caine, a GP in Parbold and chair at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We remind people to examine their options all year round but it is even more important over the bank holiday weekends when GP practices are closed.”
  The local NHS CCGs in West Lancashire, Southport and Formby are reminding people that A&E and 999 services are for life-threatening and serious conditions.
  For minor ailments and injuries the best route to recover is likely to be self-care. There are a variety of services that can support people to do this:
  
  
  
  
  
  The local pharmacy can offer free, confidential and expert advice on a range of health issues.
  Several pharmacies will be open over the bank holiday weekend and to keep up to date with where the nearest available pharmacy is, visit the local CCG’s website. For on the day information, visit the local CCG’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
  Locals can find a wealth of trusted advice about hundreds of health conditions and details of GPs, pharmacies and dentists in their local area by visiting the NHS.uk website, www.nhs.uk, which also includes a handy symptom checker.
  When residents need medical help or advice fast, but it is not a 999 emergency, they can also call the NHS 111 service.  NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
  If people need medical care for illnesses they cannot treat themselves, then the GP should be their next port of call.
  The GP should be the first point of contact for non-emergency illnesses people can’t treat yourself. A GP will be available from 8am to 6.30pm weekdays (local GP practice times in West Lancashire may vary).
  If locals don’t have a GP, individuals can register with their local surgery. If they are not sure where this is, they can find out at: www.nhs.uk or call 0300 77 77 007.