Help Us Help You this Christmas

If you're feeling unwell over the Christmas and New Year period, it's important to know what your options are if you need health advice, to ensure you get the right help when you need it.

 

Use your pharmacy

If you start to feel unwell, even if it is just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it gets worse– get help from your pharmacist. The sooner you get advice the better. There is no need for an appointment.

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals who can offer expert clinical advice and help with things like coughs, colds, tummy troubles, and contraception advice and can also help if your child has a minor health concern.  

They will also tell you if you need to see a doctor.  

Christmas and New Year pharmacy opening times

 

Contact your GP

All Wirral GP practices are set to open as normal from Tuesday December 29th to Thursday 31st December inclusive and from Monday January 4th 2021 onward. 

 

NHS 111 - call 111 or go online at 111.nhs.uk

If you have an urgent medical problem and you're not sure what to do, NHS 111 can help. 

NHS 111 allows you to have access to advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone and online and, if necessary, they can arrange for you to speak to relevant healthcare professionals, including nurses, emergency dentists, or even GPs.
The advisors can also arrange face-to-face appointments, and if you are assessed as needing an ambulance, one will be sent directly.

 

Walk-in Centres and Urgent Treatment Centre

Nurse-led walk-in Centres provide assessment, treatment and advice for minor injuries and illnesses including infections and rashes, burns and strains, sore throats and ear aches, minor cuts and wounds.

Please note: The Walk-in Centres (WiC) and Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) have moved to a telephone triage and appointment system only.

Anyone needing to access the Walk-in Centre service should call: 0151 201 4190 (8.00am – 10.00pm)

 

Arrowe Park Walk-in Centre

Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Upton, CH49 5PE

Open 8.00am–10.00pm every day including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.

Eastham Walk-in Centre

Eastham Rake, Eastham, CH62 9AN

Open every day 12 noon - 8pm (except Christmas Day)

Victoria Central Walk-in Centre

Mill Lane, Wallasey, CH44 5UF

Open 8am-10pm everyday including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

X-ray facilities – open at 8.00am – 7.30pm.

 

Minor injuries Unit/Illness Unit

Miriam Minor Injuries

Birkenhead Medical Building, 31 Laird St, Birkenhead, CH41 8DB

Open Mon-Fri 10am-8pm and Saturday 10am-6pm, including Christmas Day

Please note: Minor Injuries Unit has moved to a telephone triage and appointment system only.

Anyone needing to access the Minor Injuries/Illness unit should call 0151 652 6077 (8.00am – 10.00pm)

 

A&E

The Accident and Emergency department at hospital is for major, life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

If you have an urgent but not life-threatening medical need, make sure you contact NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E. If you do need urgent care, then NHS 111 can now book you in to be seen quickly and safely in A&E. As well as this, NHS 111 is also able to direct to or book an appointment at Urgent Treatment Centres, GP surgeries, pharmacies, emergency dental services and walk-in clinics.

For life-threatening illnesses or injuries you should continue to dial 999. Anyone who arrives at A&E without calling
NHS 111 will still receive medical care, but those needing emergency treatment will be prioritised.

 

Dealing with a mental health crisis or emergency

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the mental health phone line on 0300 303 3972 for 24/7 urgent mental health support.

The phone line is now the first port of call for mental health help – it is operated by people in your local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be re-directed to this local service – so call 0300 303 3972.

 

If you are experiencing feelings such as low mood and/or anxiety, you may benefit from a referral to Talking Together Wirral, a free and confidential service, commissioned by the NHS and available to anyone aged 16+ living in Wirral.  

Talking Together Wirral will be open:

24.12.2020         9.00am – 2pm

25.12.2020         BANK HOLIDAY CLOSED

26.12.2020         SATURDAY CLOSED

27.12.2020         SUNDAY CLOSED

28.12.2020         BANK HOLIDAY CLOSED

29.12.2020         9.00am – 5pm

30.12.2020         9.00am – 5pm

31.12.2020         9.00am – 2pm

01.01.2021         BANK HOLIDAY CLOSED

Open as usual from 4^th January.

For anyone feeling alone/isolated there are other local services available at various times over the period, including;
• Open Door (18-30yrs)
• Spider Project
• Involve North West
• Ask Us Wirral (Info and advice – debt/housing etc.)

 

Wirral InfoBank is the place where Wirral residents can find local community support services, health and care services, and up-to-date advice and information about coronavirus (COVID-19).