Many Lanarkshire GP practices will open extra hours during the festive period.
The morning and afternoon extended opening hours for GPs taking part in the initiative will vary by practice over the four days – Tuesday, December 28, Tuesday, January 4, Saturday, January 8 and Saturday, January 15.
Patients are advised to check their GP practice’s specific arrangements by going to the winter health section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website.
Those patients registered with practices taking part will be able to make an appointment if they need urgent access to see a GP on those dates.
The health board's medical director, Dr Jane Burns, told Lanarkshire Live : “Our out-of-hours service, which operates when GP practices are closed, is always extremely busy on the days following public holidays.
“The extended GP opening hours will help ensure that patients who are in need of urgent care are able to access their own GP practice conveniently and quickly .
“Patients can check the NHS Lanarkshire website for opening times on these days. They will also be advertised by those practices taking part in the initiative.
“Anyone registered with a participating practice who needs urgent access to general practice will be able to contact their practice during those times and receive the respective support they require.
“Other patients who require an urgent appointment and can’t wait until their GP practice is open should call NHS 24 on 111 for advice and access to the out-of-hours service if it is necessary.”
Some pharmacies also have extended opening hours over the festive period. Details of opening hours are also available are on the winter health section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website.
Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for many conditions, avoiding the need to attend a GP practice or go to hospital emergency departments, which are always very busy at this time of year.
The festive opening arrangements for GPs and pharmacies are part of NHS Lanarkshire’s comprehensive plan to cope with winter – the health service’s busiest time of year.
Dr Burns added: “Now is the ideal time to make health part of your festive preparations. Knowing when your GP surgery and pharmacy is open is one of a number of ways you can be prepared.
“You can also ensure you have supplies of any regular medication and knowing which services can help you the quickest this winter.”
A full list of GPs participating in the festive opening hours scheme, pharmacy opening times and a range of winter health advice is available online.
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