With Christmas just around the corner, health experts in Sefton are urging local patients to prepare now to make sure they’re fully prepared should they become unwell in the holiday season.

NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are wanting to make sure as many of us as possible know the little steps to help the NHS help you such as stocking up on over the counter medicines and which services to use should we become unwell.

Dr Craig Gillespie, GP and acting chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “No one wants to spend their Christmas holidays unwell.

“Ahead of the busy holiday period we’re urging you to make sure you’ve got fully stocked medicines cabinets at home: things like pain killers, cold remedies and tablets for tummy troubles. This will make a big difference if you or your family are unwell over the festive period.

“Remember that GPs won’t routinely prescribe over the counter medicines for minor illnesses so it is important to have these at home when you can.”

Medical help and advice will be available over the Christmas and New Year period, and you might find that the GP practice isn’t the best place for your need. Several pharmacies will be open over the holidays and a list of these can be found on the CCG websites.

Dr Rob Caudwell, GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “During the winter months and especially over the festive period, it is important we know where to go if we, or someone we know falls ill.

“You’ll find a chemist not far from home, even on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and all pharmacists can give you expert health advice and over the counter treatments for the most common illnesses and ailments without the need for an appointment.

“Other services will also be available if it is something more serious such as NHS 111, the walk-in centre and extra GP appointments of an evening and weekend.”

In Sefton more vulnerable patients can also use the Care at the Chemist scheme which is available in several pharmacies in the area.

Visit www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services / www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services  for more information on which services can help you in Sefton including pharmacy and walk-in centre opening times over the Christmas holidays.

South Sefton pharmacy opening times

Southport and Formby pharmacy opening times