Christmas GP and Dental Services

If you are already registered with a family doctor or dentist you will be able to receive medical and dental services under the NHS as normal during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Details of your GPs or dentists surgery days and times of opening during the holiday period can be obtained from the individual practices and will be displayed in their waiting rooms. Outside of these opening hours details of the practice’s out of hours cover arrangements will be available by recorded message.

If you are NOT registered with a GP or dentist then you should take steps to do so immediately. To register with a GP you should take your NHS medical card or fill in a Patient Registration Form at the GPs. If you are registering with a dentist make sure that you ask to be registered as an NHS patient.

Details of all local GPs and dentists in your area can be obtained by contacting either of our Health Information Centres (HIC) below.

• Wigan H.I.C., Bryan House, 61 Standishgate, Wigan Tel. 01942 482711
  Mon to Thur 8am – 5.30pm and Fri 8am – 5pm.
• Leigh H.I.C., Leigh Library, The Civic Square, Leigh. Tel. 01942 404470
  Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri 9am – 5.30pm and Tue 10am – 5.30pm.

If you have difficulty in registering with a GP then the PCT can help by allocating you a GP in certain circumstances.

We can also help if you have difficulty in finding an NHS dentist. Please telephone either of the above numbers for further information.

Dental Emergencies

Non-registered patients can contact the In-Hours Emergency Dental Service on weekdays between 9.00am and 5.00pm, by telephoning 01942 614390.

The Out-of-Hours Emergency Dental Service is available from 6.00pm until 8.00am on weekdays and 24 hours at weekends and Bank Holidays, by ringing 0845 603 8504. This service will be available on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and also on New Year’s Day.

Community Health centre and clinic opening times

The following health centres and clinics will be open as usual during the Christmas and New Year holiday period, with the exception of the three bank holidays.

Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCT – Chemist Opening Times

Christmas Day - Thursday 25th December 2008

• Appley Bridge Pharmacy 53 Woodnook Road, Appley Bridge 01257 252555 10.00am – 1.00pm
• Davina Pharmacy Ltd T/A Lee Pharmacy 155 Elliott Street, Tyldesley 01942 883029 12 noon – 3.00pm
• Blundell’s Pharmacy 8 Worsley Mesnes Drive, Wigan 01942 323498 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Abram Pharmacy 358 Warrington Road, Abram 01942 866681 4.00pm – 7.00pm

Boxing Day - Friday 26th December 2008

• Manor Pharmacy 4 Gathurst Lane, Shevington 01257 254142 10.00am – 1.00pm
• Blundell’s Pharmacy 12 The Centre, Higher Folds, Leigh 01942 678744 12 noon –3.00pm
• Boots the Chemists Grand Arcade Shopping Ctr, Wigan 01942 242788 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Boots 254 Wigan Road, Bryn, Wigan 01942 727176 4.00pm – 7.00pm

New Year's Day - Thursday 1st January 2008

• Manor Pharmacy Wigan Health Ctr, Frog Lane, Wigan 01942 244566 10.00am – 1.00pm
• Peter Buckley Ltd Platt Bridge Health Centre, Rivington Ave, Platt Bridge 01942 864070 12 noon – 3.00pm
• Hawkley Pharmacy 54 Carr Lane, Hawkley Hall 01942 230935 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Blundell’s Pharmacy 12 The Centre, Higher Folds, Leigh 01942 678744 4.00pm – 7.00pm

This information was correct at the time of going to press. Other chemists may also be open over the holidays – contact NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for details.

Emergency Prescriptions

Between 11pm and 8am, contact your local police station and ensure that the doctor has marked your prescription ‘URGENT’.

Medicines

• Make sure you have a supply of your regular medicines to last you through the holiday period. If in doubt, contact your doctor.
• Have a supply of remedies in the house for common conditions like coughs and colds.