Get healthcare help in Sefton this May Bank Holiday

AS residents in Sefton make plans for the May Bank Holiday, NHS leaders are sharing advice for getting healthcare help should you become unwell. Services like pharmacies, walk in centres and GP practices may not be open on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May), so residents are advised to plan ahead to know how to get the help they need.

Think 111 1st:- People who need urgent NHS care, but it is not a 999 emergency, are advised to contact NHS 111 which is staffed by trained professionals and clinicians who will direct people to the most appropriate health service.

Dr Rob Caudwell, Chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "If you're feeling unwell, there is always help and advice available from NHS 111, even on Bank Holidays they are there to help you. We should all remember to:- 'think 111 1st' - you can visit:- 111.NHS.UK online or call:- 111 over the phone to get healthcare support."

Have you got your prescriptions? Residents are also advised to make sure they have enough supply of any medications they need by ordering their repeat prescriptions early, and getting their medicine cabinet stocked up with essentials.

Dr Pete Chamberlain, Chair of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:- "Pharmacies may change their opening hours on Bank Holiday Monday, so it's best to think ahead and get your prescriptions stocked up early on to avoid being left short. Your local Pharmacy can also help you to stock up on essential medicines for common ailments and injuries. They are highly qualified and can give free, confidential advice on many healthcare concerns."

Grab a jab... Covid19 vaccinations are available for 5 to 11 year olds and NHS leaders in Sefton are recommending that parents and guardians get their children vaccinated as soon as they are able, to boost their immunity and increase their protection against the disease. Children aged:- 5 to 11 with no underlying health conditions will be offered 2 paediatric (child) doses of the vaccine, which are smaller doses than those given to people aged 12 and over.

Anyone looking to book a Covid19 vaccine for themselves or their children over the Bank Holiday weekend is advised to find a nearby appointment by calling:- 119, or visit the National Booking Service website.

Bookable appointments are available at a range of locations in Sefton, but residents can also find opening times for nearby walk in vaccine sites by visiting:- NHS.UK, to get their vaccine with no appointment needed.

May Bank Holiday Pharmacy opening times... A number of pharmacies are open, on Monday, 2 May 2022. Opening times for these pharmacies can be found in the link below, but residents are advised to call their local Pharmacy before traveling, to confirm that they are open at the advertised times. Information will be added to the links as more opening times come into the CCGs.

Residents can find the Pharmacy times here when they become available:-

►  SouthSeftonCCG.NHS.UK.

► SouthportAndFormbyCCG.NHS.UK.

Residents can also find lots of healthcare advice and services in the Sefton good health checklist, which you can view online at:-

►  NHS South Sefton CCG.

►  NHS Southport and Formby CCG.
 

Letters to Editor:- "West Cheshire Foodbank... This is not right..!"

"THANK you so much for all your support so far this year; we are really grateful for everything you continue to do so we can ensure help is here for anyone in West Cheshire struggling to afford the essentials. Generous donations of time, money and food from across our community have all been vital. From April 2021 to March 2022, we provided 13,052 emergency parcels to local people. 4,680 of these were provided for children. What a shocking statistic. That's 13,052 parcels too many..and an increase of 36% on pre Pandemic figures. It's not right that people in our community are needing a charity's help to put food on the table. Everyone in West Cheshire should be able to afford the essentials. But the rise in the cost of living combined with the cut to Universal Credit last year is pushing more and more families through the doors of our local centres. Our team of trustees, staff and volunteers will always do all they can to help people in the community, but they should not be needing to distribute emergency food parcels on this scale. We cannot let this continue. Life is full of crises that we cannot plan for, such as job loss or illness, periods of lower earnings or caring responsibilities. We all need the security and stability of a strong social security system, not just during a national crisis, but every day. That's why we're proud to be working alongside other food banks in the Trussell Trust's network to push for the long term changes we need to reach a future where everyone has enough money for the essentials. While we do that longer term work, your support continues to be crucial; especially as the price of essentials continues to soar. If you would like to support us further in the next few weeks please click here for a link to our website which outlines how; even if it is just a donated tin when you go shopping! Thank you so much for supporting our work; we deeply appreciate it..." West Cheshire Foodbank team