"Pharmacists can help with coughs, colds, upset stomachs and flu, minor injuries units can treat cuts, minor burns and sprains and strains and NHS Direct has qualified nurses available to give you any health advice. Many winter illnesses can also be effectively treated with self-care in your own home, by making sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet and get plenty of rest.
“By choosing the right service, people will make sure A&E and out-of-hours GPs are available for those who urgently need them over Christmas.”
A guide to the NHS services available in Medway over the festive period:
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Pharmacies – For a list of pharmacies open over Christmas and New Year. Don’t forget to order repeat prescriptions and stock up on over-the-counter cough, cold and flu remedies in advance so you can self-care from home
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NHS Direct – for absolutely any health questions, around the clock, and to find your local NHS services call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
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Minor Injuries Units – treatment for injuries that need medical attention but are not life-threatening - If you live in Medway your nearest MIU are located at:
Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital
Bell Road, Sittingbourne
Tel: 01795 418300
Open: 9am to 9pm, every day of the year
Sheppey Community Hospital
Plover Road, Minster, Sheerness
Tel: 01795 879100
Open: 9am until 9pm every day
Closed Christmas Day
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Walk-in centres – Medway NHS Healthcare Centre at 547-553 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, is open from 8am to 8pm every day, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. You can go to the centre if you urgently need to see a GP or nurse, even if you are not a patient of the surgery. Phone 01634 575232 for details.
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Out-of-hours GP – Patients who are in urgent need of care from a GP or nurse during the festive break can call Medway On Call Care (MedOCC) when their GP practice is closed, on 01634 891855.
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Remember A&E is for critical or life-threatening situations only.
