HERE is everything you need to know about hospital, pharmacy and walk-in centre opening and visiting times during the festive period.
Dr Peter Williams, Medical Director, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust: “We know that sometimes people are unsure about what to do if they become unwell during the Christmas and New Year period, but we want to let people know that NHS help is still available when you need it.
"The best thing you can do is to contact NHS 111 if you need any kind of medical advice or treatment. The service can offer advice on your symptoms, and can also book you an urgent face-to-face appointment if you need one.
"We would strongly urge people not to turn up at local A&E departments, unless it really is a life-threatening emergency. As with all other hospitals across the country, we continue to experience significant demand for our services and we will always prioritise those needing emergency or urgent treatment first. If you attend A&E and your condition is not an emergency, you will experience a much longer wait to be seen.
"Local Urgent Treatment Centres are open 365 days a year and have expert clinicians that can treat a range of illness and injuries, and there are local pharmacies open 7 days a week, including Christmas Day, to offer advice and over the counter medications. Using the right service for your need can help everyone receive the right care at the right time.”
The hospitals
There will be no changes to visiting times at Whiston or St Helens Hospital over the Christmas and New Year period.
Visitors can go and take gifts and spend time with their loved ones in hospital at the regular visiting hours, which will be unaffected by Christmas Day, New Years Day or any Bank Holidays.
Visiting for Adult wards are 1.30pm to 4pm and 6pm to 7pm Ward 2E, Pre and Postnatal Ward - 1.30pm to 4pm and 6pm to 7pm.
Children’s Wards • Maximum of two visitors per patient.
Walk in centre
The Urgent Treatment Centre at the The Millennium Centre is open and able to deal with the following: Broken bones, Minor cuts, Minor head injuries, Bites, Stings, Minor burns, Eye injuries, Childhood illnesses, Abdominal pain, Rashes and Allergic reactions.
During the festive period it will be open from the following:
Christmas Day - 8am-8pm
Boxing Day - 8am-8pm
New Year's Day - 8am-8pm
General opening times on other days - 7am-10pm from Monday to Satursday and 9am-10pm on Sundays
Pharmacies
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can offer advice and treatments for a wide range of illnesses and injuries.
They are also trained to tell you when your symptoms mean you need to see a doctor. With early morning and late night opening times, 365 days a year, there will always be a pharmacy open near you.
To check which ones are open go to www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy/results/St%20Helens
Discuss with your chemist about ordering prescriptions in advance.
Mental health support
The festive season can be a difficult time for many reasons.
If you need help, 24/7 support is available for children, young people, and adults in St Helens, Halton, Knowsley and Warrington.
For direct support from a trained professional, text REACH to 85258 or call the Mental Health Crisis Team freephone: 0800 051 1508
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