Bank holiday health services

Christmas and new year bank holiday 2022

People in Leeds are being reminded that their NHS is here for them this bank holiday, including GP appointments as well as access to emergency care.

1. 1. NHS 111
   2. Use your pharmacy
   3. Call your doctor
   4. When to call 999
   5. If you think you have coronavirus symptoms

NHS 111

For accidents and unexpected health problems, visit NHS 111 online or call 111. It’s free, and is a fast and easy way for people to get the right help, whatever their health needs and whatever the time of day or night.

Callers to 111 are put through to a team of highly-skilled call advisers, who are supported by experienced nurses. They use a clinical assessment system and ask questions to assess callers’ needs and determine the most appropriate course of action.

Use your pharmacy

Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can help you with minor health concerns. You do not need an appointment to get advice from a pharmacist but to keep you, other patients and staff safe, please do not walk in to a pharmacy if you have symptoms of coronavirus.

As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

If symptoms suggest it’s something more serious, pharmacists have the right training to make sure you get the help you need. For example, they will tell you if you need to contact your GP practice.

Leeds pharmacy opening times

Call your doctor

• Although most practices will be closed, appointments with GPs and other healthcare staff are still available.
• Appointments must be pre-booked – by calling your own GP practice or by ringing NHS 111. The appointment may not be at your usual GP practice but at a nearby surgery referred to as an extended access hub.
• Most appointments will be by telephone or through video consultation, but face to face appointments are still offered if necessary, with patients being advised accordingly.

If you have any of the following life-threatening emergencies, call 999:

• Choking
• Chest pain
• Blackout
• Severe bleeding
• A serious injury
• If you think you’re having a stroke

Symptoms of a stroke

The main symptoms of stroke can be remembered with the word FAST – you must call 999 if you have the following:

• Face – face is drooping/fallen on one side, unable to smile, or the mouth or eye have dropped
• Arms – unable to raise both arms and keep them there
• Speech – speech is slurred or garbled
• Time – dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms

If you think you have coronavirus symptoms

If you have symptoms of coronavirus do not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital.

Coronavirus symptoms:

• high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

For advice and information about coronavirus (COVID-19), please see here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Getting tested for coronavirus

With effect from 1 April 2022, universal testing free of charge for the general public has ended. This means that:

• Fixed and mobile testing sites have closed
• You can no longer obtain test kits free of charge, either online or from a pharmacy

There is limited free testing provision for individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms within some categories. Find out more here: https://www.healthandcareleeds.org/health/coronavirus/living-with-covid-new-testing-arrangements

Should your symptoms get worse or you feel you’re struggling to cope, please call NHS 111 or 999 in an emergency. Let the call taker know that you have coronavirus symptoms. You must not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital unless you have been told to do so.

For the latest advice on coronavirus please visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

Mental health

MindWell provides advice about looking after your mental health, as well as where to go if you or someone you know needs support.

Find out more: www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk

For information and support for young people, visit MindMate: https://mindmate.org.uk/