LOCAL NHS leaders are reminding members of the public that the NHS is open.
Dr Peter Gregory, local GP and chair at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said:
“We would like to remind local people in West Lancashire that the NHS is very much open and that many services will remain open on the forthcoming Bank Holiday on Friday 8 May 2020.
“Accessing services may feel a little different and you may be seen via video or phone, but face to face appointments do still happen when they are needed. We have shaped our services to keep you and our staff as safe as possible.
“If you are told you need to go to hospital, it is important you go. If have an urgent appointment that has not been cancelled, please do still attend. If you’re concerned about any health issue, please do not hesitate to use your local NHS and just access services in the way you usually would.
“If you are shielding, please continue to follow Government guidance. You can still access the NHS remotely and they will advise you how they can support you safely”.
Over the forthcoming Bank Holiday, which takes place this year on Friday 8 May 2020, many services will remain open so that you, or your loved ones can access help if you fall ill.
GP practices All practices have moved to telephone and video consultation and will offer face to face treatment when necessary. This could be at a different site in West Lancashire, depending on what you need. Please continue to access your practice by calling their normal number. Please note – GP practices in West Lancashire are open on Bank Holiday Friday.
GP Out of Hours If you need to speak to a GP outside of your GP practice opening hours, call freephone NHS 111.
Community services All patients will be screened by phone first – contact the Single Point of Access with any queries: vcl.westlancs-spa@nhs.net 0300 247 0011.
Community service clinics will continue to happen on dedicated sites in Sandy Lane, Burscough and Tarleton for clinics such as midwifery, sexual health and phlebotomy (the latter of which will also continue at Hants Lane).
A&E Children’s A&E in Ormskirk is closed 10pm until 8am daily. Any patients requiring an ambulance will be diverted to Alder Hey. Southport A&E remains open.
Walk in Centre and Urgent Treatment Centre Urgent Treatment Centre in Ormskirk and Walk-in Centre in Skelmersdale will be treating minor injuries only and have moved to booked appointments. Call 01695 402180 first.
Pharmacies are currently open and will also be open on Bank Holiday Friday.
Please note, pharmacy opening times may vary, but as a minimum they are being asked to open from 2pm until 5pm on Bank Holiday Friday.
There are several pharmacies that are operating different opening times beyond 2pm – 5pm on the bank holiday Friday and their details are below:
Friday 8 May 2020
Name
Asda Pharmacy
Ingram Road, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LA
Tel: 01695 567010
9am – 4pm
Boots Pharmacy
3B Moor Street, Ormskirk, L39 2AA
Tel: 01695 578 360
11am – 5pm
Boots Pharmacy
20 The Concourse, Skelmersdale, WN8 6ND
Tel: 01695 725 339
1pm – 4pm
Aspire Pharmacy
9 Railway Road, Ormskirk, L39 2DN
Tel: 01695 580 022
9.30am – 6pm
Rowlands Pharmacy
1 Dingle Road, Upholland, WN8 0EN
Tel: 01695 622 446
10am – 5pm
Rufford Pharmacy
124 Liverpool Road, Rufford, L40 1SB
01704 821 111
9am – 12pm
Morrisons Pharmacy
Park Road, Ormskirk, L39 3RB
Tel: 01695 573 289
9am – 6pm
O’Briens Pharmacy
6 Mill Lane, Burscough, L40 5TJ
Tel: 01704 892 275
10am – 1pm
Medicine Please continue to order your prescriptions in the usual way and only order your repeat prescription if it is due in seven days.
The Prescribing Ordering Direct (POD) Service (01695 588 522) continues to be open. Beacon Primary Care, Hall Green Surgery and Parbold Surgery patients should order as normal from their GP practices as the POD does not process requests for these practices. Opening times for the POD on all weekdays, including Bank Holiday Friday (8 May 2020) is 8.30am – 11.30am and 2.30pm – 4.30pm. The POD does not make appointments for patients.
If your pharmacy is unable deliver your medicines, and you, or family and friends are unable to collect your medicines, please call West Lancs Together on 0800 616 667 (Monday – Sunday 7am-7pm) who may be able to organise delivery by a volunteer.
Urgent help
If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service. If you cannot get help online, call 111. If it is a serious or life-threatening emergency, call 999.
Mental health
Big White Wall is a free online counselling service www.bigwhitewall.com Wellbeing and mental health helpline (all age) 0800 9154640 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information available at https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/MentalHealthSupport
Emergency Dental If you have an urgent dental need you can call the Lancashire Dental Helpline on 0300 1234 010 from 10am – 5pm everyday over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Further help If you need further practical support for example with food, please contact West Lancs Together www.westlancs.gov.uk/westlancstogether 0800 616 667 7am-7pm, daily.
The West Lancashire Partnership has produced a handy visual aid which advises how local health services will be shaped differently during the Coronavirus pandemic to protect both patients and staff. Details can be found here: bit.ly/01052020helpingwestlancs
Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives ALL patients are reminded to follow national NHS advice around staying at home and what to do is symptoms occur – Stay Home, Protect The NHS, Save Lives.
The details above portray the status as of 5 May 2020. All services may change during the pandemic. Follow West Lancashire CCG on social media for latest updates on changes to health services locally.
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