Health chiefs urge West Lancashire residents to help us help you this Festive Season

Health chiefs urge West Lancashire residents to help us help you this Festive Season

Health leaders in West Lancashire are sharing some advice to help you, your family and those you care for stay well this weekend and into the New Year.

Dr Peter Gregory, local GP and chair of NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “The NHS has planned extensively for this winter, but it is already under immense pressure, and NHS staff need the public to play their part, just as they did last year.

“You can help us to help you, by protecting yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 and flu by getting your vaccines as soon as they are available to you, wearing a face mask in crowded, enclosed and unfamiliar places, handwashing, testing regularly and isolating if you develop symptoms of COVID-19.”

Boosters are being made available for everyone 18 and over, as research shows this will offer you greater protection from the Omicron variant.

You can book your vaccine or booster at sites across West Lancashire and beyond by going to:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination or by calling 119.

You may also be invited to a clinic by your GP or visit a walk-in clinic in West Lancashire, details of which are available on the CCG’s website: www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/popupclinics/

Vaccine sites are based at:

• Hants Lane Clinic, Ormskirk
• Skelmersdale Health & Wellbeing Hub, Concourse Shopping Centre (please note this this is separate to the walk-in centre and is located around the corner next to Aldi)
• The Old People’s Club, Burscough
• O’Brien’s Pharmacy, Burscough
• Some GP practices in West Lancashire

COVID-19 Testing

Rapid lateral flow tests provide results within 30 minutes are available to order free via the gov.uk website or by calling 119.  Tests can also be collected from some pharmacies or community centres such as libraries.

The UK Government recommends using lateral flow tests if you will be in a high-risk situation that day (i.e., in a crowded or enclosed space with limited fresh air) or if you are visiting someone who is at high risk from COVID-19.

Do not use a rapid lateral flow test if you have symptoms of COVID-19 which are:

• a high temperature,
• a new, continuous cough,
• or you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste.

If you have symptoms, you must book a PCR test and self-isolate until you receive the result.

PCR tests must be booked via the UK Government website at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.  Please do not attend a test site without a booked appointment.

In West Lancashire, testing sites are at the following locations over the Christmas period.

These are correct at the time of publication and subject to change.  For the most up-to-date information, check West Lancashire Borough Council’s website: www.westlancs.gov.uk 

• Burscough Fitness and Racquets Centre, Bobby Langton Way, Burscough, L40 0SD: 15, 22 and 29 December
• West Lancashire College, Skelmersdale Campus, College Way, Skelmersdale, Lancashire, WN8 6DX:  18 and 19 December
• All Saints Church Hall Car Park, Station Road, Hesketh Bank, PR4 6SQ: 17, 24 and 31 December
• St Joseph's Church, Crow Orchard Road, Wrightington, WN6 9PA: 16, 22 and 23 December

Dr Gregory continues: “If you do become unwell, the NHS is always here for you when you need it.  If you need medical advice and aren’t sure where to go, use NHS 111 online or call 111 for assistance.  Over half of those using the service can receive a clinical assessment and be offered immediate advice or may be referred to the right service for a booked timeslot.

“Remember, your local pharmacists are health experts who can help with all sorts of conditions and treatments and GP practices are open and continuing to provide services, including face to face appointments where these are needed.”

Help us Help you - Over the festive period help is there if you or a loved one falls ill.

NHS 111

Visit www.111.nhs.uk or call FREEPHONE 111 first if you need medical help fast but it is not a 999 emergency.

NHS 111 will direct you to the right health service for you, which could include a walk-in centre, a pharmacy, or a booked time slot at a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

Remember, you should still dial 999 for a medical emergency, such as a suspected stroke or heart attack.

GP practices

GP practices in West Lancashire are open as normal, 8am – 6.30pm (your local GP practice times may vary, please check with them for their opening times) on all days except Bank Holidays and weekends.

There are five ways to seek healthcare advice from your GP practice:

• Visit your GP practice website and complete a confidential online form during normal opening hours to request advice or treatment.  You will receive a response as soon as possible, usually within two working days.  Online forms should not be used for very urgent medical problems.
• Call your practice to arrange an appointment.  You will usually be assessed by a health professional or a member of the practice team on the telephone first, with face-to-face care arranged if clinically needed.  If you have a preference about how to access care you can discuss it with your practice.
• For urgent issues or out of hours, you can also call the NHS on 111 or go online to seek NHS advice www.nhs.uk
• Manage your repeat prescriptions online or using your smartphone by using Patient Access, download it from the app store or by visiting www.patientaccess.com, but remember to only order what you need
• If you or a loved one has symptoms of COVID-19, please arrange for a PCR test.

Those who have COVID-19 can still be seen by healthcare services with infection prevention control measures in place but having evidence of a recent negative PCR test will ensure healthcare professionals can direct you to the correct place quickly and effectively.

Walk in Centres

To get help for minor illnesses and minor injuries the walk-in centre in Skelmersdale and the urgent treatment centre in Ormskirk operate seven days a week from 8am until 8pm, including Bank Holiday’s (except Christmas Day – please see table below).

Before attending any of the centres please contact www.111.nhs.uk or call FREEPHONE 111 where your problem will be triaged and if required an appointment for you or your loved one will be made at an appropriate location following a telephone consultation.  

• West Lancashire Urgent Care Centre; Ormskirk Hospital, Wigan Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AZ
• Skelmersdale Walk-in Centre; The Concourse, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LJ

Pharmacies

Make sure you have a well-stocked medicines cabinet at home to treat minor illnesses like:

• Headaches
• Sore throats
• Fever
• Coughs and colds
• Tummy upsets, indigestion, heart burn and diarrhoea

Speak to your pharmacist for advice on what you might need.  They can also offer you expert advice on health issues without the need for an appointment.

Details of West Lancashire pharmacy times over the festive period are:

Times are accurate as of Tuesday 21 December 2021.  Please check the CCG’s website for up to the minute details: www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/winter

Ordering Your Repeat Prescriptions

In West Lancashire you can manage your repeat prescription by contacting the POD. Please note the POD do not order prescriptions on behalf of Parbold Surgery, Hall Green Surgery and Beacon Primary Care, please contact these surgeries direct to order your repeat prescription.

The POD is available Monday to Friday, from 8.30am – 11.30am and from 2.30pm – 4.30pm by calling 01695 588 522. The team can be contacted to order prescriptions.  If you require a GP appointment, please contact your GP practice.

Other ways with which patients can order their repeat prescriptions are by:

·       By using the FREE Patient Access website and/or smartphone app, simply search ‘patient access’, on your smartphone or visit www.patientaccess.com and contact your GP surgery for registration details.

Protecting your mental health

If you are feeling anxious, depressed or simply need someone to talk to, there is help available over the Christmas period.

Contact Mindsmatter, Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm on 01695 684 177 or online: www.lscft.nhs.uk/mindsmatter2-self-referral

For urgent mental health needs, you can contact the mental health urgent response line on 0800 953 0110, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dental

If you need emergency dental treatment when your dentist is closed you can call 0300 1234 010.