Even though health services are under great pressure at the moment local Fylde Coast NHS organisations want to reassure residents that they are available if people really need them.
Unless you have a life-threatening accident or become seriously unwell it is unlikely that you will need to go to A&E. However if you’re not sure the best place to get advice is NHS 111 online at www.111.nhs.uk or by phone.
Because of the way Christmas falls this year GP practices are closed on Christmas Day as it is a Saturday, Boxing Day and the two following bank holidays. They are also closed over the New Year weekend and the bank holiday Monday.
Most people with minor conditions common over the festive period will be best served by a pharmacist. They are trained clinicians who are experts in a range of medications and treatments, you don’t need an appointment to see one and there is usually a pharmacy close to home. If you need a pharmacy over the festive period, the list below shows the ones that are open on the bank holidays.
Saturday 25 December
- Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES – 8am-9pm.
- Wesham Pharmacy, 22 Station Road, Wesham PR4 3AD – 10am-4pm.
- Kepple Lane Pharmacy , Kepple Lane, Garstang PR3 1PB – 10am-1pm.
Monday 27 December
- Norchem, 54-56 Norbreck Road, Blackpool FY5 1RP – 10am-1pm.
- Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES – 8am-9pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Clifton Retail Park, Clifton Road, Blackpool FY4 4UJ – 9am-1pm.
- Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood FY7 6NU – 10am-4pm.
- Kepple Lane Pharmacy , Kepple Lane, Garstang PR3 1PB – 10am-1pm.
Tuesday 28 December
- Norchem, 54-56 Norbreck Road, Blackpool FY5 1RP – 10am-1pm.
- Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES – 8am-9pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Clifton Retail Park, Clifton Road, Blackpool FY4 4UJ – 9am-1pm.
- Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood FY7 6NU – 10am-4pm.
- Kepple Lane Pharmacy , Kepple Lane, Garstang PR3 1PB – 10am-1pm.
Monday 3 January
- Norchem, 54-56 Norbreck Road, Blackpool FY5 1RP – 10am-midnight.
- Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, 150 Whitegate Drive, Blackpool FY3 9ES – 8am-9pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Clifton Retail Park, Clifton Road, Blackpool FY4 4UJ – 9am-1pm.
- Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood FY7 6NU – 10am-4pm.
- Kepple Lane Pharmacy , Kepple Lane, Garstang PR3 1PB – 10am-1pm.
Dr Neil Hartley-Smith, Clinical Director of Fylde Coast CCGs, said: “Health services don’t stop over Christmas with thousands of health professionals coming to work across the Fylde Coast while other people are tucking in to their turkey.
“Although GP practices and some pharmacies close on the Bank Holidays we make sure there are services available if you need them. But we do have to ask people to try to keep them free and only use the urgent and emergency services if it really is an emergency.”