Fylde coast residents are being urged to be ready for the upcoming bank holiday and make sure they use local health services appropriately.
GP surgeries will be closed this bank holiday Monday and many pharmacies will be operating under reduced opening hours. By re-stocking their medicine cabinets if needed, knowing when their GP surgery is open and planning ahead, patients can ensure they make the most of the bank holiday weekend.
There are a number of options available and people are being urged to use the most appropriate service and not automatically go to A&E.
Speaking on behalf of NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups, Dr John Calvert, a Blackpool GP and clinical advisor at NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We expect the accident and emergency department to be busy this weekend as it normally is during bank holidays. Should you unfortunately become ill and require medical help then there is a range of services available to you. By knowing more about the different health services available and what they offer, you can get yourself and your family the right treatment much faster. Avoiding unnecessary visits to A&E is important.”
You should call 999 or go to A&E if it is a serious or life threatening emergency. If you’re not sure you can call NHS 111 and they will be able to advise you where to go.
For less serious injuries or health concerns you can visit the Walk-in Centre on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool or the Same Day Health Centre on Dock Street in Fleetwood which will both be open from 8am to 8pm. Please call 0300 123 1144 to book an appointment at the Same Day Health Centre before visiting.
Pharmacies are an excellent place to seek medical advice for minor ailments. Pharmacists are trained professionals with a wealth of knowledge on how to treat all sorts of conditions. Though some may be closed over the bank holiday below is a list of those that are open.
| Blackpool | |
| Boots UK 28-38 Bank Hey Street Blackpool FY1 1DD 01253 622276 | 10:00 – 17:00 |
| Lloyds pharmacy 110 Talbot Road Blackpool FY1 1LR 01253 627932 | 11:00 – 16:00 |
| Lloyds Pharmacy J Sainsbury Store Red Bank Road Blackpool FY2 9HY 01253 351667 | 09:00 – 19:00 |
| Tesco Pharmacy Tesco Extra Clifton Road Blackpool FY4 4UJ 01253 843847 | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Morrison’s Pharmacy, Morrison Supermarket, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY 01253 343377 | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Whitegate PharmacyWhitegate Health Centre Whitegate Drive Blackpool FY3 9ES 01253 807 808 | 08:00 – 21:00 |
| Fylde and Wyre | |
| Asda Pharmacy Dock Street Fleetwood Lancashire FY7 6NU 01253 879410 | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Boots 64 – 66 Clifton Street Lytham St. Annes FY8 5EW 01253 736194 | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Boots 39 Victoria Road West Cleveleys Lancashire FY5 1BS 01253 853168 | 10:00 – 16:00 |
| Lloyds Pharmacy, St. Andrews Road North St Annes on Sea Lancashire FY8 2JE 01253 713741 | 09:00 – 19:00 |
It is also worth checking your general medicine cabinet prior to the bank holiday to make sure it is well stocked with essentials such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies, antihistamines and plasters and bandages. These can all be bought cheaply from supermarkets or pharmacies and your local pharmacist can also provide free, confidential, expert advice and treatment for a variety of common complaints.