DRUGSTORE NEEDS
Is your local pharmacy open on Christmas Day? Find out which ones are offering services and when to head to A&E instead
Plus, eight signs that should prompt immediate medical attention at A&E
PHARMACIES up and down the country will be open "all hours" during the Christmas period to deliver care for patients - including 17 per cent on Christmas Day itself.
Pharmacies open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day have been commissioned by NHS England to ensure patients can still access emergency medication as well as medical advice without having to visit A&E.
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A new sample poll of around 500 pharmacies by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) found that:
- 17 per cent are open on Christmas Day
- 12 per cent are open on Boxing Day
- 13 per cent are open on New Year’s Day
The vast majority of pharmacies will also remain open between 27th-31st of December but may be operating revised opening hours.
Pharmacies will also be helping deliver palliate care drugs and support to some of their most vulnerable patients.
Read more on winter illnesses
Nick Kaye, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “We’re incredibly proud of pharmacy teams who are going the extra mile to provide vital services patients over the Christmas period, with nearly 20 per cent of pharmacies even open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
“Pharmacies are the front door to the NHS and help people with access to medication as well as medical advice, particularly when they are unable to access their GP or other health services.
“Christmas can be a busier time of year for pharmacy teams so please do be patient when visiting your local pharmacy during this period to collect the medication you or a loved one may need.”
Pharmacies open on Christmas Day
Patients are advised to use NHS England’s for changes to Christmas Opening Hours.
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Many pharmacies will open for around four hours on Christmas Day.
The full details of local Christmas and Boxing Day openings can be found on the .
When to use A&E - and what to do if you're unsure
When to head to a pharmacy
Pharmacists can offer advice on a range of illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, ear infections and aches and pains.
They can also give advice about medicines, including how to use your medicine, worries about side effects or any other questions you have.
Pharmacists can suggest treatments that do not need a prescription, or for some conditions they can offer prescription medicine.
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Conditions they can offer prescription medicine for are:
- impetigo (aged 1 year and over)
- infected insect bites (aged 1 year and over)
- earache (aged 1 to 17 years)
- sore throat (aged 5 years and over)
- sinusitis (aged 12 years and over)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) (women aged 16 to 64 years)
- shingles (aged 18 years and over)
Some pharmacies may offer the contraceptive pill for free without a prescription.
But if you're aged 18 years or older, you can also buy the progesterone-only pill from most pharmacies.
The emergency contraceptive pill is also available at some pharmacies for free.
If you’re aged 16 or over, you can buy it from most pharmacies.
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Other services available at your local pharmacy include:
- advice from a pharmacist after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
- chlamydia screening and treatment
- advice and help on how to stop smoking
- cholesterol and blood sugar testing
- the substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
- advice and help on how to manage your weight
When to go to A&E
You should go to A&E (Accident and Emergency) if you have a serious or life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention:
- Chest pain
- Severe breathing difficulties
- Heavy bleeding
- Suspected stroke
- Loss of consciousness
- Acute confused state and fits that are not stopping
- Severe allergic reactions
- Severe burns or scalds
You should avoid going to A&E if you have a non-emergency problem, as you may face a long wait or be redirected to another service.
Instead, you can use the NHS 111 service, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week - online at , on the NHS App, and by calling 111.
The NHS is busier than ever before over the winter, so you should use health services responsibly.
You can help by:
- Getting your vaccinations
- Practising good hand hygiene
- Keeping warm
- Stocking up on medicines and repeat prescriptions before bank holidays
Source: NHS
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