This Easter, NHS South Sefton and NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are reassuring residents that they will still have access to medical advice and support over the bank holiday weekend. Unlike previous years local GP surgeries will be operating regular weekday opening hours on Good Friday (10 April) and Easter Monday (13 April) to help the NHS cope with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Due to the coronavirus outbreak GP practices have made some changes to the usual way that you access their services. This means in the first instance you should phone your practice or contact them online to get advice, rather than visiting your surgery in person. Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “It’s safe to say that none of us have ever experienced the changes in our society that we’re experiencing due to coronavirus but we are determined to provide our residents with the best healthcare possible over the Easter Bank Holiday and throughout this period for all their healthcare needs. “To help stop the spread of coronavirus, if you do need to contact your GP it is important that you telephone first, rather that visit the practice. “Our pharmacies will be open on both Good Friday and Easter Monday from 2-5pm and some will be open on Easter Sunday. Please be aware that beyond the bank holiday the opening times for pharmacies and the way that they operate has also altered due to coronavirus. “All these measures are essential to protect all of our patients and staff and to provide you with continued advice about the usual range of ongoing and non-coronavirus illnesses.” Dr Craig Gillespie, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “Don’t forget that there’s support for you and advice on our websites and in this digital age you can download the NHS App for free, which allows you to order repeat prescriptions. “Remember, if you can’t get out to pick up your medicines due to the current Government advice on coronavirus you can ask a trusted family member, friend or neighbour to collect your medicines once the prescription is ready for collection. If you have no one to help and are shielded or self-isolating then contact Sefton Council’s helpline for support - 0345 140 0845. “Finally, I would urge you to follow the guidelines and advice about dealing with the coronavirus and above all – Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives” If you require urgent medical help you can call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; please remember that the service is experiencing a huge demand during this time, so your patience is appreciated. If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Litherland Walk-in Centre is open 8am-8pm every day. However, all patients are now being asked to call 0300 100 1004 where they will be given advice on the call and where necessary, an appointment will be allocated at the walk-in centre. The Urgent Treatment Centre in Ormskirk and the Walk-in Centre in Skelmersdale will be treating minor injuries only and have moved to booked appointments. Call 01695 402180 first. In addition, local NHS Walk-in Centres across Liverpool will continue to operate daily between 8am–8pm, with the exception of the city centre one on Hanover Street. However, people need to call first on 0300 100 1004 to arrange an appointment. The NHS App is available to download and has some really useful options that can help to support you and your family at home such as reordering prescriptions, and up to date COVID-19 advice access 111 Online, for advice on self-care and whether urgent help is needed. Pharmacies will be open on both Good Friday (10 April) and Easter Monday (13 April) from 2-5pm and some will be open on Easter Sunday (12 April). You should contact your local chemist directly for its exact hours of business on all of these days. You can find a list of pharmacies open on Easter Sunday on your CCG website along with more information about current changes to the way you can access local services and how they are delivered www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk or www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk