Ahead of the summer bank holiday (Monday31 August), residents in Birmingham, the Black Country and Solihull are being reminded how to access NHS services should they need help over the long weekend.
Due to the bank holiday, some NHS services – including GP practices and pharmacies – may be closed or operating on reduced hours.
However, a number of local pharmacies will remain open across the bank holiday weekends to provide advice, prescriptions, and treatment for common minor health concerns.
A full list of participating pharmacies and their opening times can be found on the NHS England website.
NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer for the NHS Birmingham, Black Country and Solihull ICB’s, said: “With the summer bank holiday just around the corner, it’s worth taking a few simple steps to make sure you know where to turn for healthcare advice if you or someone you care for becomes unwell.
“NHS 111 can help you find the most appropriate service for your needs and is available 24 hours a day. By assessing your symptoms, the service can advise you on the right care locally.
“Community pharmacies will also be available to provide support, particularly for common illnesses and minor health concerns such as sore throats, coughs, colds and stomach problems. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals and can provide advice and treatment for many conditions without the need to see a GP.
“Before the bank holiday, it’s also sensible to check that you have some basic medicines and first aid essentials at home, including painkillers, plasters and treatments for common seasonal illnesses. Your local pharmacy can advise you on what you may need.
“Knowing in advance which service to use can help you get the right support more quickly, while making sure emergency departments and ambulance services remain available for people with serious and life-threatening conditions.”
If urgent health advice or treatment is needed, NHS 111 is available 24/7 and can be accessed by dialling 111, visiting 111.nhs.uk or through the NHS App.
