If you’re feeling unwell there are various options to consider
Fylde coast pharmacies have announced their opening times for the bank holidays around Christmas.
All pharmacies will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, although specific closing times may vary and residents wishing to access these services should check with their local branch for details.
For people wishing to access non-emergency healthcare on Christmas Day, the pharmacy at Whitegate Health Centre in Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, will be open from early until late, while Tomlinson’s Chemist in Market Square, Lytham, will open for a short period around lunchtime.
There will be limited opening times for pharmacies on Monday, December 28, which is a bank holiday because Boxing Day falls on a Saturday, but facilities will be available in Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lytham, St Annes and Cleveleys.
And on New Year’s Day pharmacies in Sainsbury’s stores in St Annes and Blackpool will open from 10am to 5pm, while Whitegate Pharmacy will open again from early until late.
Health leaders across the Fylde coast have reminded residents that pharmacists can offer expert and confidential advice on a range of minor ailments and offer a real alternative to A&E.
A spokesman for Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and NHS Fylde and Wyre and NHS Blackpool CCGs, said: “The holiday seasons always provide added pressures to emergency health services and Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s A&E is no different.
“We would urge everyone who feels unwell over the festive period to consider whether their symptoms are serious or life-threatening before going to hospital.
“With plenty of pharmacists opening their doors throughout Christmas, this is a real alternative for those people who are suffering from some minor symptoms.
“It is also worth remembering the walk-in centre in Whitegate Drive will remain open every day throughout Christmas and New Year and is able to treat a wide range of minor illnesses and injuries.”
The three organisations launched the ‘Think! Why A&E?’ campaign 12 months ago in a bid to raise awareness of the alternatives to hospital among people across the Fylde coast.
Pharmacy opening times during the festive period:
| Day | Pharmacy | Time |
| Christmas Eve (Thursday, 24 December) | All pharmacies will be open on Christmas Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details. | |
| Christmas Day (Friday, 25 December) | Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES – 01253 807808 | 8am – 9pm |
| Tomlinson’s Chemist, 11 Market Square, Lytham, FY8 5LW – 01253 735305 | 11am – 2pm | |
| Monday, 28 December | Boots, 28-38 Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 1DD – 01253 622276 | 8am – 6pm |
| Lloyds Pharmacy, 110 Talbot Road, Blackpool, FY1 1LR – 01253 627932 | 10am – 4pm | |
| Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES – 01253 807808 | 8am – 9pm | |
| Morrisons Pharmacy, Squires Gate Lane, Blackpool, FY4 2AY – 01253 343377 | 9am – 5pm | |
| Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY – 01253 351667 | 9am – 6pm | |
| Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood, LA1 5JR – 01253 879410 | 7am – midnight | |
| Boots, 64-66 Clifton Street, Lytham St Annes, FY8 5EW – 01253 736194 | 10.30am – 4.30pm | |
| Boots, 39 Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, FY5 1BS – 01253 853168 | 10.30am – 4.30pm | |
| Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Cleveleys, FY5 3TS – 01253 852376 | 9am – 5pm | |
| Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, St Andrews Road North, St Annes, FY8 1UR – 01253 713741 | 10am – 5pm | |
| New Year’s Eve | All pharmacies will be open on New Year’s Eve, however closing times may vary. Please contact your local pharmacy for more details. | |
| New Year’s Day | Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, St Andrews Road North, St Annes, FY8 1UR – 01253 713741 | 10am – 5pm |
| Sainsbury’s Pharmacy, Red Bank Road, Blackpool, FY2 9HY – 01253 351667 | 10am – 5pm | |
| Whitegate Pharmacy, Whitegate Health Centre, Whitegate Drive, Blackpool, FY3 9ES – 01253 807808 | 8am – 9pm | |
ENDS
Contact: Dan Clough, communications and engagement officer, NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG – 01253 955420 / Dan.Clough@fyldeandwyreccg.nhs.uk
Notes to editors:
- Think! Why A&E? is a joint campaign between NHS Fylde and Wyre CCG, NHS Blackpool CCG and Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Self care – Minor illnesses, ailments and injuries can be treated at home. Coughs, colds, sore throats, upset stomachs and aches and pains can be treated with a well-stocked medicine cabinet and plenty of rest.
- Pharmacy – Pharmacists offer a range of health services. As well as dispensing prescriptions and other medicines, your pharmacy can provide free confidential expert advice and treatment for a variety of common illnesses and complaints, without having to book a GP appointment. You can find your nearest pharmacy by visiting the ‘services near you’ section of nhs.uk.
- NHS 111 – This is a free telephone service, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You should call 111 if you urgently need medical help or information, but your situation is not life-threatening. When you dial 111, you will be directed to the best local services to make sure you get fast and effective treatment.
- Walk-in or same day centres – These centres provide consultations, guidance and treatment for minor injuries and illnesses, as well as emergency contraception and sexual health advice. There are two centres on the Fylde coast, (locations can be found at whyaande.nhs.uk) both operating seven days a week from 8am onwards.
- GP surgery – If you have an illness or injury that won’t go away, make an appointment with your GP. They provide a range of services by appointment, and when absolutely essential, can make home visits. If you need to see a GP outside of the surgery’s normal opening hours, telephone the surgery and your call will be forwarded to the GP out-of-hours service.