The NHS in Gloucestershire is reaching out with important information about local services to make sure people know how to seek medical help over the Easter Weekend if they need it.

NHS services are exceptionally busy during the coronavirus pandemic, and it’s really important that the public help stop the spread of coronavirus by staying at home wherever possible.

However, if you do find yourself ill or injured, need urgent advice or care and are not sure where to seek help, here are some useful pointers.

Community Pharmacies

Pharmacies are a good first port of call for advice about looking after yourself or a loved one with a minor ailment.  Pharmacists are experts on medicines, and can help if you need an urgent prescription because you have run out of your normal prescribed medicines.

Many community pharmacies will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday, however it is important you check opening hours before you visit.

You can find your nearest pharmacy and its opening times here:

For full pharmacy rotas over Easter click here:

GP Surgeries

In Gloucestershire, GP surgery services will be available on Good Friday and Easter Monday (normal hours). If you need urgent medical help either go to NHS 111 online or call your GP surgery. Please don’t turn up at the surgery unless you’ve been asked to.

If you need urgent medical support when your GP surgery is closed, call NHS 111 and they will make sure you receive the advice or care you need.

The GP led Gloucester Health Access Centre will be providing a service as normal from 8am to 8pm every day over the bank holiday weekend (illness only, not injury). Please don’t turn up – to access this service you should phone 01452 336290.

Community Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Units (MIIUs)

A number of Minor Injury and Illness Units will be open in Gloucestershire’s community hospitals over the Easter Period.

Please note, however, that some of these units have been temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Check www.ghc.nhs.uk  for opening hours and information about the services they provide. You can also find information about MIIUs on the www.asapglos.nhs.uk website.

 A&E and 999

 Please call 999 if you have a life threatening condition or serious injury.

Although the NHS is asking people to use emergency services wisely, it is also making it clear that 999 services are available and the A&E Departments are open for people with serious health problems.

The Children’s Centre and specialist staff, who provide emergency care for children, are based at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. If your child needs emergency care, call 999.

In response to Covid-19, changes have been made to how children and young people access the Emergency Department (A&E) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital – patients aged 16 or under should go to the Children’s Centre entrance. For more information visit: www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk and click the coronavirus information option at the top.

Urgent Care Lead at NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group and local GP, Dr Jeremy Welch said: “We recognise that people will continue to get ill and suffer injuries that are not Covid-19 related.

Whilst Covid-19 is presenting real challenges for the NHS and we value the public’s support in choosing wisely, we also want people to know that urgent care is still available. It’s important people do not delay seeking help with serious, time critical conditions as this could result in adverse implications for their health further down the road.”

Local care and service advice is available from www.asapglos.nhs.uk and the ASAP Glos NHS App.