Westminster and Hammersmith & Fulham CCG offer tips for staying healthy over Easter

Local residents in Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham are being encouraged to take care of themselves and their family's wellbeing this Easter by keeping healthy and choosing the right care.

Ahead of the Easter holiday taking place between 3-6 April, Dr Ruth O'Hare, chair of Central London CCG and Dr Tim Spicer, Chair of Hammersmith and Fulham Clinical Commissioning Group said:

"Some GP practices and some pharmacists will be closed over Easter weekend and some will have restricted opening hours.

"Because of this we would like to remind you of the various ways you can look after yourself and of the other local NHS services which will be available to you during this time. 

"Read our top tips below for advice on keeping healthy and choosing the right care this Easter."
 
Choose the right care
 
See a GP at the weekend. If you need to get access to a GP out of surgery hours you should firstly call your GP practice who will be able to provide you with the contact number for their out of hours service. The following practices are open in Westminster on Saturdays and Sundays (you don't need an appointment or to be registered at the practice to use this service):

• The Connaught Square Practice (10am - 6pm), 41 Connaught Square, London, W2 2HL, nearest tube: Marble Arch;
• Pimlico Health at the Marven Surgery (10 am - 6pm), 15 Denbigh Street, London, SW1V 2HF, nearest tube: Victoria or Pimlico
• The Third Floor Lanark Medical Centre (10am - 6pm), 165 Lanark Road, London W9 1NZ, nearest tube: Maida Vale
• The North West London Medical Centre (8am - 4pm), 56 Maida Vale, London, W9 1PP, nearest tube: Maida Vale.

Remember that Hammersmith and Fulham has GP services running on Saturday and Sunday. You can walk in or book a same day appointment with a GP between 9.00am and 4.00pm at a number of practices across the borough. To book an appointment at any of these practices, phone 03000 333 666.

• Visit your pharmacist. Self-care can be the best option if you have a common complaint such as a cold so see your local pharmacist for free confidential advice and over the counter medicines. For details of the pharmacies open in Central London visit www.centrallondonccg.nhs.uk. 
• Call NHS 111. Trained staff on this free helpline can provide over the phone advice and direct you to the most appropriate NHS service in your area. This is not to be used for a 999 emergency.
• Get 24/7 urgent care. Urgent care centres offer treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and patients can be seen without an appointment.
• In a life-threatening emergency visit A&E. Accident and emergency departments and 999 are for emergency care and should only be used for serious illness and critical life threatening conditions. In Westminster, the closest A&E is located at St Mary's Hospital.

For more information about choosing the right care and the range of NHS services available in your borough and in North West London visit www.rightcarenwlondon.nhs.uk.
 
Keep healthy 

• Check your prescription. Make sure your prescription will last over the holidays.
• Take care of your mental wellbeing. If you're feeling stressed, anxious or depressed there is help available to you in your area. Make an appointment with your GP or visit the Westminster Go 4 Mental Health website www.go4mentalhealth.com. 
• If you're able to, you might find exercise, such as an afternoon walk, can help you stay well. Walking is a great form of exercise and you can do it alone or with others. 
• Keep warm. Winter has only just finished but people that are vulnerable, such as older people, may feel the cold more. By wearing several thin layers inside and outside the home over the colder months can help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions.
• Eat healthily. It's tempting to eat lots of chocolate over Easter, but limit sugary snacks and make sure you have a healthy diet which includes five portions of fruit and/or vegetables a day, and plenty of fluid