GP practices to open on Saturdays for extra care
Many Lanarkshire GP practices will open on Saturdays throughout January – extending the times patients can receive urgent medical care.
Surgeries which have agreed to join the initiative will extend the times patients can receive care by opening on Saturday, January 13, 20 and 27.
The extension of opening hours has been put in place for patients to receive urgent care more quickly.
NHS Lanarkshire advises people to check their own GP practice’s specific arrangements via the online Winter Health Hub on the NHS Lanarkshire website.
Patients registered with practices offering extended hours will be able to make an appointment if they need urgent GP care.
Dr Chris Deighan, NHS Lanarkshire’s executive medical director, said: “These extended GP opening hours will help ensure that patients in need of urgent care are able to access their own GP practice quickly during January.
“Those GPs who have agreed to extend their opening hours will be able to support colleagues during this extremely challenging period for which we are very grateful.
“This will help ensure that our patients receive the right care in the right place as quickly as possible, which will assist us to manage the pressure across the whole healthcare system at this current time.
“I’d like to thank the people of Lanarkshire for their continued understanding and reassure them that we’re here to look after everyone in lots of ways this winter.”
Pharmacies are also able to provide a range of expert advice and information.
Lauren Gibson, lead pharmacist for community pharmacy services, added: “There’s lots of support for minor conditions that community pharmacies can provide without a prescription.
“We have the Pharmacy First Service, where your pharmacist can advise on minor conditions such as coughs and colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, constipation and diarrhoea.
“Pharmacies can also provide access to emergency hormonal contraception as well as antibiotics, if appropriate, for urine infections, skin infections and eye infections.
“The pharmacist will assess you and, if appropriate, you will be given treatment.
“If the pharmacist does not think that medication is appropriate, they can provide self-care advice, or referral advice and signpost you to where you can receive the right care.”
Details about opening times for GP practices are available on the NHS Lanarkshire Winter Health Hub via https://www. nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/yourhealth/winter-health/