Burnley doctors remind residents to get prepared for the Bank Holiday

Residents across East Lancashire are being reminded to take appropriate steps to prepare for the Bank Holiday weekend, when many GP surgeries will be closed.
Doctors are reminding people to be aware of medical services open over the long weekendDoctors are reminding people to be aware of medical services open over the long weekend
Doctors are reminding people to be aware of medical services open over the long weekend

Many NHS services will be running as normal, such as A&E and NHS 111, but due to the closure of GP surgeries, residents should: Order prescriptions in advance, to make sure that they have enough medicine over the weekend; Stock up on over-the-counter remedies such as hay fever relief, sun cream, paracetamol and other first aid items from the local pharmacy; Check which local services will be open over the weekend

Dr David White, Clinical Lead for Urgent Care at NHS East Lancashire and NHS Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “The combination of improved weather and the long weekend often results in a spike in accidents, with children under five and adults over 65 being the most at risk. It is therefore very important to be aware of which services are open over the weekend.

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“Stocking up on first aid items and over-the-counter medicine from a pharmacy is always a good precaution, particularly given the risk of sunburn and hay fever at this time of year. Some accidents are unavoidable and local Minor Injury Units in Accrington, Rawtenstall and the Urgent Care Centres in Blackburn and Burnley will be able to provide comprehensive care over the bank holiday period.

“These holiday weekends also generally see an increase in the number of people who ring our out-of-hours service because they have simply forgotten to re-order their prescription medicine. We’d like people to try to avoid doing this, so that those who really need to see a GP are not delayed in any way.”

Help and advice is available from NHS 111 (just dial 111) 24 hours a day, free of charge. Alternatively, visit www.nhs.uk