NHS services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are expected to be very busy during the August bank holiday weekend especially as it follows a 48-hour strike by consultant doctors.
The bank holiday weekend is a good opportunity to have a break and enjoy the summer, but if you need the NHS, please make sure you know where to go.
Help your local NHS by choosing the most appropriate service, whether that is by visiting an urgent treatment centre, heading to your local pharmacy, or by contacting 111. This will help keep Emergency Departments available for those who need them most. However, if you need emergency medical attention you should continue to come forward as normal.
Your local pharmacy opening times
The NHS has published the opening times of pharmacies across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight over the August bank holiday weekend.
You can click on Hampshire or the Isle of Wight for details of the pharmacies which will be open on the August bank holiday on Monday 28 August, providing a network of medicines and expert advice in convenient locations.
The details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change.
You are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you require. You can also visit www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy to find a pharmacy near you.
Dr Tim Cooper, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “As we look forward to another bank holiday weekend, a reminder that local pharmacists can provide expert advice on medication as well as many common illnesses and injuries.
“Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, with five years training, and can help with advice on tummy troubles, managing fevers, sprains and strains, sore throats and hay fever. If you or a member of your family need support this bank holiday weekend and aren’t sure where to go, pharmacists can often help or advise you if you should contact NHS 111 for further medical advice or treatment.
“You can also contact NHS 111 online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 111.nhs.uk and the team can find the right support for you, including access to mental health support.”
Consultant doctors taking strike action
Consultants who are members of the BMA will take strike action for 48 hours from 7am on Thursday 24 August just ahead of the August bank holiday weekend. This is the second time during this round of industrial action that consultants are taking strike action.
If you have an urgent medical problem and you are not sure what to do, visit 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. Urgent Treatment Centres and pharmacies are equipped to deal with minor injuries, such as cuts or sprains. Please only go to a hospital’s Emergency Department for life-threatening accidents and emergencies. Details of pharmacies and Urgent Treatment Centres can be found here.
Patients with appointments booked on strike days will be contacted by the NHS if their appointment needs to be rescheduled due to industrial action. If you have not been contacted, you should attend your appointment as planned.
Regardless of any strike action taking place, it is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, especially in emergency and life-threatening cases - when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk.
Dr Lara Alloway, Joint Chief Medical Officer for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board said: “We are asking you to help your local NHS by taking simple steps during industrial action to look after yourselves, your loved ones and to check in on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
“No one should put off seeking urgent care in an emergency during the strike action, however we are urging people to only attend our Emergency Departments if it is a life-threatening situation.
“There are a number of alternative services including pharmacies, urgent treatment centres (UTCs), Healthier Together and 111 online. By using one of these alternative services, it allows our teams in our emergency departments to attend to those patients who urgently need care and attention.
“If you have an appointment during the industrial action, then please continue to attend as planned unless you have been contacted to reschedule.
“We are working closely with our partners across the counties to plan, prepare and mitigate the potential impact and patient care remains our top priority. We are working hard to ensure that we continue to deliver the best level of care possible.”
For more information on local health services and getting the right care for your needs, please click here.