Making the right health and care choices in Wirral this Christmas

The NHS has planned extensively for this winter, but it is already under immense pressure, and NHS Wirral need the public to play their part, just as they did last year.

A handy guide is available for you to download to help you access the right health advice and treatment over the festive period.

This includes information on support available to help you prevent illness, adopt healthier choices, manage minor ailments and look after your health and wellbeing.

 

Pharmacy

Your local pharmacy can offer advice and medicines for a range of minor illnesses. Staff are trained to tell you when your symptoms mean you need to see a doctor.

Christmas and New Year pharmacy opening times are available to view, here.

 

Contact your GP

All Wirral GP practices are set to open as normal from 29th to 31st December inclusive and from January 4th 2022 onward. 

 

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

If you have an urgent but not life threatening medical need, visit NHS 111 online first, rather than going straight to A&E.
111 online can help you right away if you have a medical problem and you don’t know what to do and, if needed, a healthcare professional will call you.
NHS 111 makes it easier for you to get the treatment you need in the right place. The service can also direct you to urgent treatment centres, walk-in centres, GPs, pharmacies, emergency dental services or other more appropriate local services.
Visit www.111.nhs.uk or dial 111.

 

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.

 

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 and Boxing Day)

Victoria Central Walk-in Centre

Mill Lane, Wallasey, CH44 5UF

Open 8am-8pm 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

Opening times: Monday - Sunday, 8.00am - 8.00pm (inc bank holidays) including Christmas Day

 

A&E

The Accident and Emergency Department and 999 are for life threatening illnesses and injuries ONLY, such as choking, chest pain, blood loss and open fractures.

If you attend A&E or call 999 and your condition is not deemed to be life threatening, you will be advised of other local services that are more suitable for you.

 

Dealing with a mental health crisis or emergency

 

24/7 All Age Mental Health Crisis Line:

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.

Please call 0800 145 6485 and our dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people.

 

Shout text messaging service

Are you feeling anxious or stressed and need support? Text 'BLUE' to 85258 to start a conversation, via text, with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. Open 24/7. This animation explains how the service works.

 

Companeros crisis café

Companeros provides a safe space for people struggling with emotional distress who consider themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. It offers a warm and welcoming environment for people to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems. The service is located at: 2a Price Street, Hamilton Square, CH41 6JN.

Please call 0151 488 8135 or email: enquiries.comp@spiderproject.org.uk  – it is open from 1pm -10pm. To keep up-to-date with the latest updates from the service – please check out their Twitter and Facebook pages.

 

IAPT – Improving Access to Psychological Therapies

Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression. Visit the NHS website to find out more and to locate your local IAPT service.

 

Winter Vaccinations

You can help us to help you, by protecting yourself and loved ones from COVID-19 and flu by getting your vaccines as soon as they are available to you, wearing a face mask in crowded, enclosed and unfamiliar places, handwashing, testing regularly and isolating if you develop symptoms of COVID-19.

Boosters are being made available for everyone aged 18 and over as research shows this will offer you greater protection from the Omicron variant. To book your Covid-19 vaccination visit www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, call 119 or find a vaccination walk-in clinic near you.