North West Ambulance Service Industrial Action 23 & 24 January 2023

• NHS services across the North West are experiencing extremely high demand at the moment – this includes GP practices and the 111 service which are both extremely busy.
• If you need advice for an every-day illness or injury, please either contact your local pharmacy for help or look at the self-care advice that’s available on-line from the NHS at www.nhs.uk.
• If you want to check your symptoms, there is an on-line symptom checker available at 111.nhs.uk, which will re-direct you to a health professional if you need to be seen by someone.
• Please continue to attend your GP appointments, unless you are contacted and told otherwise.
• The NHS is asking patients to use services wisely during industrial action and take simple steps to help ensure care is available to patients who need it most. This includes using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs and continuing to only use 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.

Please look at the alternative options available for accessing NHS services if your condition is not urgent.

• You can find self-care advice on nhs.uk;
• Consider using your local pharmacy for expert help and advice for every-day conditions;
• Online services are available, where you can request repeat prescriptions via the NHS app or your practice patient online service;
• Advice is also available from NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. The online service can provide the same advice and help as the phone service. You will be directed to the best service for your needs if you’re not sure what to do and a clinician call will call you back if needed.

Our staff are still working incredibly hard, and we are here for you, so please continue to come forward for the help you need.   

There are a number of services available locally to help you including;

• Minor Illness Unit at Birkenhead Medical Building – 8am to 8pm 7 days a week – walk-in or telephone appointment booking;
• Acute Respiratory Hub at Birkenhead Medical Building – Appointments only – 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm Saturday and Sunday – access via your own general practice who will complete your first assessment
• Minor Ailments Services at local community pharmacies

You can also ‘help us help you’ by ensuring you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having your autumn booster dose and your seasonal flu vaccination, if eligible.

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Please help us to help you…..Before you submit an econsult please consider pharmacy first. Pharmacists are qualified Health Care Professionals who can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, sore throats, urine infections etc. 

Practice opening hours are 8:am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Please DO NOT send clinical econsults outside of the practice opening hours.

If you need medical help when we are closed please consider pharmacy first or if your symptoms are more serious please contact NHS 111

Thank you for your co-operation.

Moreton Medical Centre