The NHS in Gloucestershire joins the rest of the country in sending our deepest sympathies to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Government has confirmed that the day of the Queen’s State Funeral, Monday 19 September, will be a Bank Holiday to allow the nation to pay their respects and mark the Queen’s remarkable 70 years of service.
The NHS would like to remind people how to access health services over the Bank Holiday should they need them.
Some GP surgeries may be closed or open for reduced hours on Monday 19 September. If you have an appointment booked, please attend; your surgery will contact you if it needs to be changed.
If you have an urgent requirement for GP services over the bank holiday weekend, call NHS 111 and they will make sure you receive the care you need.
The majority of the COVID-19 vaccination clinics will be closed on Monday 19 September. Where these appointments need to be rescheduled, people will receive a cancellation notification and be given the opportunity to rebook a new appointment.
Many planned hospital services will continue on the Bank Holiday. If you have an appointment or operation booked, please plan as if it is going ahead. If your appointment does need to be rescheduled, you will be contacted directly.
If for any reason you need to reschedule your appointment to a future date, please contact the number on your appointment letter at the earliest opportunity.
The local NHS is also urging people to think twice before heading to A&E or calling 999 when it’s not a life-threatening emergency.
If you do find yourself ill or injured and are not sure where to seek help, here are a few useful pointers:
• If you think you may need A&E or to get the right care 24/7, click 111.nhs.uk or call 111. The 111 phone service will connect you to local NHS services including the Out of Hours GP service, community pharmacy, Community Minor Injury and Illness Units or A&E where appropriate.
• The ASAP website www.asapglos.nhs.uk provides step by step advice on a wide range of health conditions and the right services to meet your needs. You can also download the ASAP Glos NHS App free from your App store.
• Community pharmacies are a great first port of call for minor ailments and they can advise on whether another NHS service is needed. Search ‘find a pharmacy NHS’ to find one open near you.
• Some patients requiring urgent GP surgery services may also be able to access a slot at the GP-led Gloucester Health Access Centre at Quayside House, Gloucester, which is open every day between 8am and 8pm. Please call 01452 336 290 to make an appointment.
• Community Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Units can treat a variety of injuries and illnesses for adults and children. Most of them are open until 8pm every evening. Check locations and opening hours on the ASAP website www.asapglos.nhs.uk and ASAP Glos NHS App. You may be seen more quickly if you book an appointment by calling 0300 421 7777 (local call rate) or through 111.
• Use Emergency Services wisely – only dial 999 or attend the A&E Departments at Gloucester or Cheltenham for serious injuries or in life-threatening situations such as unconsciousness, heavy loss of blood, severe chest pain or stroke.
Here are some top tips to help you plan for the Bank Holiday:
• Be prepared – don’t forget to order your regular prescriptions in advance of the bank holiday and make sure you collect enough medication to last throughout the long weekend.
• Remember to take your prescribed medication with you if you are visiting family or friends.
• If you need an urgent prescription because you have run out of your normal prescribed medicines, most community pharmacies can help.
• Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home, with medicines such as paracetamol which can treat a number of everyday illnesses.
• Take early action – seek advice from your local pharmacy if you have a long-term health condition and are starting to feel unwell before it gets more serious. Further advice can be found at: www.nhs.uk/staywell