South Wales GP surgeries and chemists open on New Year's Eve
ABM Health Board has reminded the public that GP surgeries and local chemists are open as usual on New Year’s Eve.
Assistant Medical Director for Primary Care, Dr Jane Harrison, said: “Local healthcare services such as your GP surgery and pharmacy are open as normal on New Year’s Eve - Monday, December 31, 2012.
“Unfortunately, some people forget this and arrive at the emergency department with a minor illness that can be dealt with by their GP or local pharmacist.
“It’s also important patients make sure they have enough medication to cover the bank holiday when their GP surgery will be closed."
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Dr Harrison said people who attend the A&E when it isn’t appropriate not only put unnecessary pressure on the department but can also face a longer time for treatment.
Other healthcare services available in the Bridgend, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea areas include:
· Your local pharmacist or chemist.
· NHS Direct – telephone 0845 4647 – available 24/7.
· GP Surgery
· GP Out of Hours Service – telephone 0330 123 9180 – available 6.30pm – 8am Monday – Friday and 24 hours a day on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.
· Minor Injury Unit – Neath Port Talbot Hospital – available 24/7.
· Minor Injury Unit – Singleton Hospital – available 8am – 8pm every day.
Visit www.choosewellwales.org.uk to help you choose the most appropriate healthcare service.
Comments
by RosemaryBush
Sunday, December 30 2012, 5:12PM
“No clarysage50 you are wrong about the article. As you say "A number of these patients are elderly and often do not wish to trouble anyone- unfortunately these are the patients who are queued up in ambulances outside your hospitals because,it seems, that your authority cannot get medical personnel". They are queued up in ambulances because people with the sniffles or have run out of medication clog up A&E (Accident and Emergency) when they should either make use of their Pharmacist, order medication in plenty of time or use GP Out of Hours when their Surgeries are closed.”
by clarysage50
Saturday, December 29 2012, 7:27PM
“ABM Health
What a pity that you along with antyall ( also all the red arrow contributors) have misunderstood my comment! Of course most of these people KNOW that surgeries and local chemists are open on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve etc However, it may interest you to learn that many genuine patients in your area find it extremely difficult to obtain GP appointments particularly around holiday times (yes, GPs and their staff have holidays as well) A number of these patients are elderly and often do not wish to trouble anyone- unfortunately these are the patients who are queued up in ambulances outside your hospitals because,it seems, that your authority cannot get medical personnel.
No one wishes to attend Emergency Departments at such times except the folk who have overindulged, fight victims and revellers who cannot hold their booze and have to be picked up off the street by overworked ambulance staff.
So please don't assume that patients 'may forget' that GP facililties are open - possibly the majority of attendees at the emergency departments often are only there because GPs cannot be contacted/or will not visit.”
by antyall
Saturday, December 29 2012, 4:08PM
“ABM_HEALTH. It is good to see that you are courteous when answering posts by clarysage who just likes to post! Have a happy new year.”
by ABM_Health
Friday, December 28 2012, 9:41AM
“Hi clarysage50,
This isn't about getting a story in the paper. Some people genuinely, and for various reasons, don't realise their GP surgery and local chemist are open on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. This is just to remind people these services are open and available as normal on Monday. Unfortunately, some people forget they are open or don't realise and head to the Emergency Departments when it isn't necessary.”
by clarysage50
Thursday, December 27 2012, 7:03PM
“Why shouldn't these surgeries etc be open on New Year's Eve?? They were open on Christmas Eve so what is the difference?? This sounds like an excuse to get a story in the paper....
NOW....if these surgeries were open on New Year's Day then that would really be a story worth reporting....(some hope)”