People in Leeds are being reminded that their NHS is here for them over the bank holiday weekend, including GP appointments as well as access to emergency care.
NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is issuing the reminder as part of its ‘Your NHS is here for you’ campaign, advising people that if they become unwell over the August bank holiday weekend, they can get medical help.
Although most practices will be closed, appointments with GPs and other healthcare staff are still available.
Appointments must be pre-booked – by calling your own GP practice or by ringing NHS 111. The appointment may not be at your usual GP practice but at a nearby surgery referred to as an extended access hub.
Most appointments will be by telephone or through video consultation, but face to face appointments are still offered if necessary, with patients being advised accordingly.
Dr Sarah Forbes, GP and Associate Medical Director for NHS Leeds CCG, said: “We want to make sure that people who become unwell over the bank holiday weekend can still get medical help, so our extended access hubs will be open as normal. This means people can still see a healthcare professional, normally a GP or a nurse.
“Even though the appointment might not be at your usual practice and is likely to take place over the telephone, the healthcare professional looking after you will have access to your medical records.
“You should call 999 for life-threatening emergencies, this includes chest pain, blackouts, severe blood loss that can’t be stopped, a serious injury, or if you think you’re having a stroke. Some people may decide that they don’t want to access emergency services, and this could possibly be due to fear of coronavirus or not wanting to burden the NHS. Please do not put your health at risk and get seen by a healthcare professional, you will be treated in a safe, low risk environment.
“If you spend time outdoors this weekend, social distancing is still vital. You should stay as far apart from other people as possible, wear a face covering in indoor public places or on public transport and wash your hands as soon as you get home. Following these rules will help control the spread of the virus to the wider community, particularly the most vulnerable.
“It’s really important that anyone who thinks they have COVID-19 follows NHS advice and stays at home, only leaving the house to get tested. Tests can be booked by visiting https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ or calling NHS 119.
“Should your symptoms get worse or you feel you’re struggling to cope, please call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency. Let the call talker know that you have coronavirus symptoms. You must not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital unless you have been told to do so.”
For the latest advice on coronavirus please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. Find out more about accessing medical help urgently or when faced with a life or limb-threatening emergency www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/HereForYou
Find your local hub bank holiday opening times
Pharmacy bank holiday opening times
When to call 999
If you have any of the following life-threatening emergencies, call 999:
- Choking
- Chest pain
- Blackout
- Severe bleeding
- A serious injury
- If you think you’re having a stroke
Symptoms of a stroke
The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST – you must call 999 if you have the following:
- Face – face is drooping/fallen on one side, unable to smile, or the mouth or eye have dropped
- Arms – unable to raise both arms and keep them there
- Speech – speech is slurred or garbled
- Time – dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms
For media enquiries please contact:
Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCG. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively, please email us: leedsccg.comms@nhs.net