Reminder of how to get best NHS help during pandemic
LOCAL NHS leaders are reminding residents how to access the most appropriate health service if they or a loved one fall ill during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Peter Gregory, local GP and chair at NHS West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “We would like to remind local people in West Lancashire that the NHS is very much open and we are there for you when you need us.
“Accessing services may feel a little different and you may be seen via video or phone, but faceto-face appointments do still happen when they are needed. Our services are now shaped to keep you and our staff as safe as possible.
“If you are told you need to go to hospital, it is important you go.
“If you have an urgent appointment that has not been cancelled, please do still attend.
“If you’re concerned about any health issue, please do not hesitate to use your local NHS and just access services in the way you usually would.
“If you are shielding, please continue to follow government guidance.
“You can still access the NHS remotely and they will advise you how they can support you safely”.
GP practices: All practices are open and can offer phone, video and face to face consultation. Please continue to access your practice by calling their normal number.
The Urgent Treatment Centre in Ormskirk and Walk-in Centre in Skelmersdale are open every day for pre-booked appointments made over the phone from 8am – 8pm and can treat minor injuries and minor illnesses (01695 402180).
GPs are your first port of call to treat minor illnesses when they are open.
Medicine: Please continue to order your prescriptions in the usual way and only order your repeat prescription if it is due in seven days.
Please do not stockpile medicine.
Please contact your pharmacy if you are unable to collect your medicine in person.
Ordering prescriptions can now be done easily online or using your smartphone with the myGP or Patient Access website and smartphone app.
Search myGP or Patient Access in the app store or online.
Community services: All patients will be screened by phone first – contact the Single Point of Access with any queries: vcl.westlancs-spa@nhs.net 0300 247 0011.
Urgent help If you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service.
If you cannot get help online, call 111. If it is a serious or lifethreatening emergency, call 999.
Mental health: 24/7 mental health urgent response line 0800 953 0110. 24/7 mental health and wellbeing helpline 0800 9154640 or text ‘hello’ to 07860 022846.
More information available at www.westlancashireccg.nhs.uk/ mentalhealth.
Dental: If you are in pain or in need of support and need help or advice, please telephone your dental practice in the usual way.
Dental practices began opening as long ago as Monday, June 8 2020 for all face to face care.
If you are not registered with a dentist you can go to www.nhs.uk/ service-search/find-a-dentist or call the Lancashire Dental Helpline on 0300 1234 010 from 10am-5pm.
To support NHS services, it is important that you do not visit hospitals or doctors’ surgeries with dental problems.
If you need further practical support for example with food, please contact West Lancs Together www.westlancs.gov.uk/ westlancstogether.
Call 0800 616 667, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and from 10am2pm on weekends and Bank Holidays.
Stay Alert, Control the Virus, Save Lives – all patients are reminded to follow national NHS advice around staying at home and what to do is symptoms occur.
All services may change during the pandemic.
Follow West Lancashire CCG on social media for latest updates on changes to health services locally.