Finding health care over the bank holiday weekend.

Where you can go to get help out of hours

The NHS pledges to provide services at a time that's convenient for you. They have produced guidance on how best to access services outside of hours.

• Phone NHS 111: This service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides medical advice and the details of the services closest to you that help you deal with your need following a medical assessment. 
• Visit your local pharmacy: Your pharmacist can help you with many issues, including treatments for some conditions through the Pharmacy First scheme. 

Find out which Pharmacies are open this bank holiday. 

• Visit your nearest NHS Urgent Treatment Centre: If you need treatment for minor injuries or illnesses such as cuts, bruises and rashes, you can visit your nearest Urgent Treatment Centre. These are not suitable for treating long-term conditions. You do not need an appointment or to be registered to be seen at one of these services. You may be referred to one of these services by NHS 111, or just walk in. 

Halton's Urgent Treatment Centres 

• Runcorn UTC - Entrance 2, Halton General Hospital, Hospital Way, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 2DA.
• Widnes UTC - Health Care Resource Centre, Oaks Place, Caldwell Road, Widnes, WA8 7GD.

Should I go to A&E?

Accident and Emergency departments are for serious or life-threatening emergencies and aren't an alternative to a GP appointment. You should go to your nearest A&E if you require urgent medical attention.

For example, if you're experiencing:

• loss of consciousness
• chest pain
• breathing difficulties
• fits that are not stopping
• severe bleeding that won't stop
• severe allergic reactions
• severe burns or scalds
• stroke
• major trauma

Not all hospitals have an A&E department. Locally to Halton, Whiston and Warrington Hospitals both have A and E departments, open 24/7. 

Use the A&E service search to find your nearest A&E department, or read the guidance from the NHS to learn more about when to go to A&E.