Many Lanarkshire GP practices will open extra hours across the festive Mondays and Tuesdays.

The morning and afternoon opening hours for GPs taking part in the initiative will vary by practice over the four days – 26 and 27 December and 2 and 3 January.

Patients are advised to check their doctor’s specific arrangements by contacting the practice or by going to the winter health section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website - nhslanarkshire.org.uk/HealthyLiving/Winter.

Those registered with practices taking part will be able to make an appointment if they need urgent access to see a GP.

This year is the fourth time that Lanarkshire GPs and their staff have gone the extra mile to provide the festive service to patients. NHS Lanarkshire has put the initiative in place with the support of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

NHS Lanarkshire medical director Dr Iain Wallace said: “Our out-of-hours service, which operates when GP practices are closed, is always extremely busy on the days following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

“The additional GP opening hours will help ensure that patients who are in need of urgent care are seen conveniently and quickly. They will also benefit patients whose practices won’t be open on these days as they will reduce the pressure on the out-of-hours service.

“Patients should check with their own GP surgery for opening times on these days. Anyone registered with a participating practice who needs urgent access to see a GP will be able to make an appointment during those times.

“Other patients who require an urgent appointment and can’t wait until their GP practice is open should call NHS 24 on 111 for advice and access to the out-of-hours service if it is necessary.”

Some pharmacies also have festive opening hours over the period from Christmas Day to 27 December and from New Year’s Day to 3 January. Details are on the winter health section of NHS Lanarkshire’s website - nhslanarkshire.org.uk/HealthyLiving/Winter.

Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for many conditions, avoiding the need to see a GP or go to hospital emergency departments, which are always very busy at this time of year.

The festive opening arrangements for GPs and pharmacies are part of NHS Lanarkshire’s comprehensive plan to cope with winter – the health service’s busiest time of year.

Dr Iain Wallace added: “Now is the ideal time to make your own and your family’s health part of your festive preparations. Knowing when your GP surgery and pharmacy is open is one of a number of ways you can follow the advice of the national campaign to ‘Be Health-Wise This Winter’.

“You can also ensure you have supplies of any regular medication and get your flu vaccination if you are in the right age group or have particular health needs.”

A full list of GPs participating in the festive opening hours scheme, pharmacy opening times and a range of winter health advice is available at nhslanarkshire.org.uk/HealthyLiving/Winter.

Back to news