Easter Bank Holiday: NHS services open in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire during long weekend

GPs

Most GP practices will be open on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Opening hours may vary so visit your practice website for specific opening hours and contact details. Do not turn up at your GP practice but call first for advice.

GPs are working mainly over the telephone or via video consultations instead of face-to-face at the moment to help patients and staff stay safe. GPs can still see patients face-to-face if there is a pressing medical reason to do so.

GP practices will be closed on Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Pharmacies

Local pharmacies will be open across the four-day Easter weekend.

Most pharmacies will be open from 2pm until 5pm on Good Friday and Easter Monday with some pharmacies extending these hours. Pharmacies will open as normal on Saturday and a number will be open on Easter Sunday.

More information on local pharmacy opening times can be found at: https://www.cambridgeshireandpeterboroughccg.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-information/gp-practices-and-pharmacies-to-stay-open-on-the-easter-bank-holidays/.

Remember the following when visiting a pharmacy:

. Be patient and observe social distancing (stand 2m apart)

. Only order what you need

. Be kind to staff.

Walk-in centre

The Peterborough Urgent Treatment Centre in Thorpe Road is open from 8am until 8pm and the Ely Minor Injury Unit is open from 8am until 10pm every day.

These can treat a range of minor illnesses and injuries such as sprains and strains, broken bones, minor burns and scalds, minor head and eye injuries and bites and stings. No appointment is required.

Wisbech and Doddington minor injury units are temporarily closed to enable the experienced staff to be redeployed to provide vital additional capacity elsewhere in the local community in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Coronavirus symptoms

If you think you have symptoms of coronavirus in the first instance use the NHS 111 online service - https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19.

If you are unable to manage your coronavirus symptoms or do not have access to the internet then call NHS 111.

Residents are being reminded that the NHS 111 phone service is currently experiencing huge volumes of calls.

Mental health

The First Response Service in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough provides those in mental health crisis the opportunity to get access to help quickly by calling NHS 111 and selecting option 2.

The service allows patients or carers to speak to specially-trained mental health staff who can provide advice, support and signposting to other services. The service is available 24/7, 365 days a year.

Calls to NHS 111 are free from a landline or mobile phone.

Patients registered with practices in Wisbech can access the service via dialling 111. The call handler will then transfer them directly to the service.

Other services

. Lifeline: A free, confidential and anonymous telephone helpline service for adults. Call 0808 808 2121 – available from 2pm to 11pm

. QWELL: Online counselling and well-being for adults

. Centre 33: Supports people in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough with a wide range of issues. Phone lines are open between noon and 4pm, Monday to Friday. Call: 0333 4141809 or text/WhatsApp: 07514 783745

. Childline: Open 24 hours a day. Freephone 0800 1111

. Kooth: Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people. It is available Monday to Friday, noon to 10pm, and Saturday to Sunday, 6pm to 10pm

. Samaritans: For all ages, there is a free 24 hour helpline: 08457 90 90 90. It is open 365 days a year.

. www.keep-your-head.com provides local residents of all ages with a ‘one-stop shop’ for information on wellbeing and mental health.