The Health and Social Care Board and Western Trust, together with local GPs, pharmacists and dentists, have been working to ensure local people have access to urgent care services over the Christmas and the New Year holiday period.
As part of the Choose Well campaign, the Western Health Trust is encouraging everyone to “Think where and Choose well.”
A spokesperson said: “Choosing the service most appropriate to your symptoms will mean you get the right treatment in the right place and will also help to manage your health service resources.
“Self care is the best choice to treat minor illnesses, ailments and injuries. A range of common illnesses such as aches and pains, coughs, colds, upset stomachs and sore throats can be treated with over the counter medicines and plenty of rest. Remember, whether treated or not, most of these will get better.
The following health and care arrangements will be in place should you or a member of your family become ill or have an accident.
Pharmacy
Your local pharmacist can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints.
The Health and Social Care Board has been working closely with local pharmacists to draw up holiday pharmacy rota arrangements.
The pharmacy rota arrangements for Christmas Day are as follows:-
Christmas Day
Boots, Crescent Link Retail Park: 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm
Whitehouse Pharmacy, 65 Buncrana Road:7.00 pm to 8.00 pm
Gibsons Pharmacy, 15 Market Street, Limavady: 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm
Boots, 60-62 Main Street, Strabane: 12.00 noon to 1.00 pm
St Stephen’s Day
Gibsons Pharmacy, 15 Market Street, Limavady: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Colhouns Pharmacy: 11 Castle Street, Strabane: 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm
New Year’s Day
Medicare (Campbells), 38 Main Street, Limavady: 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Medicare, 340a Ballycolman Estate, Straban: 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm
Adequate local pharmacy provision is available on St Stephen’s and New Year’s Day, if not listed.
Remember to order and collect any essential repeat prescription medications from your daytime GP surgery in advance of the holiday period. GP out of hours will only provide repeat prescriptions in exceptional circumstances.
Out of Hours GP Service
The GP out of hours service, Western Urgent Care, is available if you require urgent medical care when your daytime GP surgery is closed for problems that cannot wait until GP Practices re-open. Remember to telephone the service first.
Western Urgent Care will be operating for all GP Practices from 6.00 pm on Christmas EVE until practices open at 8.30 am on Friday 27 December.
Western Urgent Care will also be operating over the New Year period from 6.00 pm on New Year’s Eve until GP Practices open at 8.30 am on Thursday 2January. The telephone number for Western Urgent Care is 028 7186 5195.
Out of Hours Dental Services
Details of dental services will be displayed at dental surgeries or can be obtained by contacting your dentist.
For out of hours urgent dental problems, patients should contact their dental surgery or visit www.hscboard.hscni.net/news/EmergencyDentalServices.html.
Out of Hours Emergency Social Work Service
The out of hours Emergency Social Work Service is available outside normal office hours and on weekends, Bank Holidays and Public Holidays for genuine emergencies that cannot wait until the next working day. You can contact the service on 028 9504 9999.
Urgent Care and Treatment Centre
The Western Trust’s Urgent Care and Treatment Centre at Tyrone County Hospital is a Nurse-led Minor Injuries Unit, which is operational 24 hours a day and is fully supported by a 24/7 x-ray facility.
Normal services will be operating throughout the holiday period as usual. The service is for those in need of urgent treatment. Telephone advice is also available 24/7 by contacting 028 8283 3169.
Emergency Departments
Emergency Departments provide the highest level of emergency care for patients, especially those with sudden and acute illness or severe trauma. Normal Emergency Department services will be operating throughout the holiday period as usual. The service is for those in need of emergency treatment.
999 Ambulance Services
As always, the emergency ambulance service will be there if you need it. Always dial 999 when there is a risk to life or of serious injury.
But, if your call is not an emergency, then please use the most appropriate service and help keep the 999 system clear for life threatening emergencies.
Remember, you could risk a life if you tie up an emergency line for a non-emergency call. Your call could delay someone with a real emergency. Keep emergency lines free.
Further information about health and social care services in your area and the Choose Well campaign can be found at www.nidirect.gov.uk/choosewell
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