Where to get healthcare out-of-hours this Christmas

UK Doctor’s surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas, but research from Which?* shows that many people don’t know what healthcare services are available out-of-hours or are unclear about which service they should use.

Although more than a third (35%) of those surveyed had used an out-of-hours healthcare service in the past year, there was lack of knowledge about what services are available and when they can be used.  More than half (52%) of the people Which? surveyed didn’t know that they could call an out-of-hours GP service when their surgery was closed.

Which? has the following guide to the options available and when they should be accessed:-

NHS Direct (England & Wales) / NHS 24 (Scotland)

► Provides confidential telephone advice 24 hours a day, every day of the year

► Use for general health information or advice, or if you are unsure what treatment or advice you need; their websites also
contain useful health information

► NHS Direct is on 0845 46 47 or nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

► NHS 24 is on 08454 242424 or nhs24.com. 

Out-of-hours GP services

► Your surgery answerphone should tell you what to do when the surgery is closed or connect you to an out-of-hours service

► Use when you need advice quickly but the condition is not life-threatening

► You may receive telephone advice or a home visit, or be asked to visit a GP.

Walk-in-services (urgent care centres, sometimes called ‘walk-in centres’ or ‘minor injuries units’)

► Treat minor illnesses and injuries and are usually open from early morning to late evening, seven days a week (check on NHS Direct or NHS24)

► You don’t have to make an appointment but it’s worth phoning ahead to check that they can treat you or a family member.

Pharmacies

► Offer an increasing range of services, which may include advice about minor ailments and certain medicines; some may be open until 12am.

Accident & Emergency

► Use for emergency injuries and illnesses, such as breathing difficulties, blood loss and suspected broken bones.  Usually open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

► Use 999 (or the European-wide 112) when someone needs immediate emergency care, such as for a suspected heart attack or major injuries.

Nikki Ratcliff, Head of Services Research, Which?, says:- “Nobody likes to think about the possibility of getting ill or getting injured at Christmas, but unfortunately it can happen, so it’s best to be prepared.  Make sure you know what services are available in your area, what they’re for and how to access them so that if you do need to seek help, you know where to go.

The emergency services are facing their busiest time of year and receiving an unprecedented number of calls, so avoid calling 999 or visiting A&E unless it’s a genuine emergency, and instead consider the other health services that are available.”

On the 12th Day of Christmas, My Pharmacy sold to me...

Click above to read this very funny cartoon, with thanks to Assura Pharmacies...

BOTH Assura Pharmacies in Liverpool - (one on Argyle Street, Ropewalks and one on Everton Road, West Everton) are open on
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve; Ropewalks from 8.30am to 3pm on both days and West Everton from 8.30am to 6pm.  They are closed Christmas Day and New Years Day and operating at normal opening hours of 8.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Working Time opt-out in jeopardy after North West’s Labour MEPs vote to scrap it

IN Strasbourg on 18 December 2008,Labour MEPs,including your local North West MEPs have voted to undermine the ability of British workers to choose how many hours they work, at the worst possible time for the British economy, Sajjad Karim, local Conservative MEP, warned this week. 

The UK and 14 other EU countries are able to opt-out of the stipulation in the Working Time Directive that workers can put in no more than a 48 hour week.  However, a long campaign by socialist MEPs, this was led by British Labour MEP Stephen Hughes who has fought to scrap the opt-out.

The European Parliament held a vote on the matter on Wednesday in which more than half of all MEPs voted against the opt-out.  12 Labour MEPs joined them, whilst five sided with their own government in retaining a worker's ability to choose. 

MEPs are now at odds with national governments of the EU, who agreed in June that they would defend the right of countries and workers to opt-out.  The matter will now be settled in a 'conciliation' which brings together representatives of the parliament and national governments to find a solution.  As a majority of EU countries now use the opt-out, Conservatives will be pressing the government to ensure the Council of Ministers does not give ground. 

Sajjad Karim MEP said:- "Labour MEPs from the North West have defied Gordon Brown and defied British workers.  Socialist MEPs have won the battle today, but they must not be allowed to win the war. 

Workers in (REGION) will be disappointed to hear their MEPs think they know best about how many hours they are allowed to work.

Many people work extra hours either to pay the bills, or to rise up the ladder; how dare Labour MEPs stand in their way.  Scrapping our Working Time opt-out is even more nonsensical in today's economic climate than ever before.

The British government must dig in and defend the opt-out.  15 EU nations now take advantage of the flexibility provided by the opt-out and none of them should back down."