People across Cheshire and Merseyside are being urged to use NHS 111 or visit their local Walk-in Centre for all non-emergency healthcare needs during the Easter weekend from Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April.
Adults and children can get help for minor illness, injury, rashes, eye infections or minor scalds in Urgent Treatment Centres and Walk-in Centres. You can find your nearest centre and opening days and times here.
You can also go online to NHS 111, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service will be able to direct you to the best place to get help for your symptoms, or if you call 111 then a specialist health advisor will assess your health needs, give advice, refer you to the most appropriate care service or send an ambulance in case of an emergency. Depending on your symptoms, you might:
- Need a callback from a nurse
- Be referred to urgent care services
- Have a same-day appointment booked at local pharmacists, GPs or Urgent Care Centres.
You can also use the NHS App to find out:
- Where to get help for your symptoms
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
- How to get an emergency dental appointment.
Some pharmacies may also change their opening hours this Easter weekend and during the Bank Holidays. Click here to find a pharmacy and their opening times.
Please think carefully before you attend one of our Emergency Departments as they are very busy. So, if your condition is less serious, consider using NHS 111 who can direct you to the most appropriate place of care.
However, if you are seriously ill or it’s an emergency, please still use our services.
If your condition is not considered to be serious or life threatening, you may face a long wait to be seen whilst our Emergency Department teams prioritise caring for those who need our help the most.
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.