South Tyneside pharmacies and GP surgeries to remain open over Easter weekend

Patients across South Tyneside will be able to access their GP practice and local pharmacy on both Good Friday (Friday, April 10) and Easter Monday (Monday, April 13) to help services cope with the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The change to traditional Easter opening hours comes as GPs and pharmacists across the country move to help alleviate the growing pressures on out-of-hours services.

Dr Neil O’Brien, accountable officer of NHS South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Given the unprecedented situation we are in, GP practices and pharmacies across South Tyneside will remain available over this period for queries and appointments to help ease some of the pressures on NHS 111.

“However as per the current guidance if patients are experiencing Coronavirus symptoms they should seek help and advice using NHS111online services (https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19) - and only call NHS111 if they cannot get help online.”

All South Tyneside GP practices have now moved to total telephone triage, online and video consultations.

Patients are asked not to go to their GP surgery until they have been assessed over the telephone or online. The GP practice will make arrangements for a face to face appointment if an individual needs to be seen.

“Our aim during this time is to keep our patients and our staff safe,” added Dr O’Brien.

“All patients will go through the ‘triage’ process which will enable practices to prioritise appointments for those most in need. Repeat prescriptions can be requested online through practice websites or by using the NHS App and anyone who is not online can still contact their surgery who will advise them how they can order their medicines.

“But it remains vital, especially over the Easter period when we are predicting a potential rise in Coronavirus cases that everyone continues to help stop the spread of this virus by following Government advice and staying at home – this will help to save lives and protect our NHS.”

Check the opening times of your local pharmacy at: www.southtynesideccg.nhs.uk/your-health/thinkpharmacyfirst/

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