Patients registered with a GP practice in Tameside and Glossop are being advised on how and where to access healthcare services over the Easter and May bank holidays.

NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) wants anyone who feels unwell over the bank holidays to access the most appropriate healthcare service to meet their needs and receive expert medical treatment. 

Getting the right care in the right place will enable patients to be treated quickly by the most appropriate healthcare professional. Details can be found at www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/rcrp 

Anyone who takes regular medications is urged to make sure their prescription will last them over the bank holidays, which include Good Friday 15 April, Easter Sunday 17 April, Easter Monday 18 April and the May Bank Holiday 2 May. A delivery service is provided by some pharmacies for patients who have no support. To reduce the demand and pressure on this service, anyone feeling unwell and self-isolating is encouraged to ask friends, relatives or neighbours to collect their medicines in the first instance.

A local pharmacy can provide expert advice and care on minor ailments. Pharmacists are qualified professionals who are experts in medicines and can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as a high temperature, minor eye problems, nasal congestion, coughs, sore throats, headaches, tummy trouble, aches and pains, eczema and other skin problems, or minor burns and injuries.  People can speak to a pharmacist in confidence, in a private area, about the most personal symptoms. 

Several pharmacies in Tameside and Glossop will be open over the Easter period and May bank holiday, and it is advised to check their opening times before travelling, as times may vary. Further information can be found at www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/pharmacyservices 

If you, or someone you know, are struggling to cope it’s important to ask for support. It’s especially important if people are feeling desperate, are having thoughts of suicide or are feeling unable to keep themselves safe.  Pennine Care Foundation Trust provide a free, urgent mental health helpline, 24 hours a day, seven days week to support anybody requiring urgent mental health support (all ages). Telephone on 0800 014 9995 or visit their website at www.penninecare.nhs.uk/help. For other available mental health support services go to www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/mentalhealthsupport/urgenthelp

People with an urgent but not life-threatening condition, which cannot be treated by a pharmacist, should contact NHS 111 First for advice, either online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NHS 111 will ensure patients get the right care in the right place and will book an appointment to be seen in an agreed time slot. This will help keep patients safe and reduce the time spent sitting in a waiting room. 

NHS 111 can also offer appointments to be seen by a healthcare professional through the Primary Care Access Service (PCAS) at one of five neighbourhood hubs in Tameside and Glossop. This service combines those historically known as 7-Day Extended Access, GP out-of-hours and Alternative to Transfer.

For dental help or advice, people should contact their dental practice in the usual way, over the phone first, rather than in person. Anyone needing urgent dental care when their practice is closed, or who doesn’t have a usual dentist, can call the Greater Manchester dental helpline on 0333 332 3800, available from 8am to 10pm every day, including weekends and bank holidays, or go online at www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-dentist 

If someone has a life-threatening illness or injury which might include: severe chest pain, a suspected heart attack or stroke, suspected meningitis, suspected broken bones, breathing difficulties, sudden and severe headaches, severe burns, or severe injuries that require hospital treatment, they should call 999 for an ambulance, or go straight to A&E. Ambulances are for life-threatening emergencies. Calling 999 for an ambulance is not a fast route into A&E. People who attend A&E when their condition is not life-threatening may be referred elsewhere for treatment or be assisted to use NHS 111.

Dr Asad Ali, co-chair at NHS Tameside and Glossop Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Visiting a local pharmacist can be a quick way of accessing medical help and advice especially over bank holidays. As well as dispensing prescriptions, they provide a wide range of services and immediate help and advice on many minor illnesses.

“You don’t need an appointment and can speak to a pharmacist in private and in confidence. Many pharmacists have extended opening hours including evening and weekends.

“Remember, NHS 111 can also be a good resource for health advice for things that are not life-threatening. And the NHS website has lots of information on what steps to take to look after you and your family.

“Please do not to visit a pharmacy, GP or hospital if you have coronavirus symptoms, no matter how mild.”

Information on pharmacy opening times and how to access care can be found at www.tamesideandglossopccg.org/accessingcare