Know where to go for healthcare in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge this May Bank Holiday

GPs in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge (BHR) are urging people to use local healthcare services wisely over the bank holiday weekend – and reminding them they can access treatment and advice from their local pharmacy and NHS 111.

May Bank Holiday is a busy time of the year for local GP practices and hospitals. To ensure everyone can receive the care and treatment they need, it is important to remember there are a number of ways to get advice and support from the NHS locally.

This includes visiting your local pharmacy for help treating coughs, colds and other minor ailments, and contacting NHS 111 free if you need health advice urgently.

It is also advisable to keep your medicine cabinet well stocked with supplies such as paracetamol, indigestion medication, ibuprofen, antihistamines and plasters to help you deal with any minor health issues, should the need arise.

If you have a long-term health condition, you should ensure you prepare for the upcoming bank holiday by requesting well in advance any repeat prescriptions you might need.

Over the bank holiday weekend, people in Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge have a number of healthcare options:

• Urgent GP appointments – Urgent, same day, bookable appointments are available at GP hubs. Appointments are available between 8am and 8pm throughout the long weekend, including bank holiday Monday. To book an urgent same day appointment, call 020 3770 1888 or contact NHS 111.

• Walk-in centres – You can visit one of these centres without an appointment:

• Loxford polyclinic, 417, Ilford Lane, Ilford IG1 2SN; tel 020 8822 3800. It is open 8am-8pm seven days a week.
• Barking Community Hospital Walk-in Centre, Upney Lane, Barking IG11 9LX; tel: 020 8924 6262. It is open 7am-10pm weekdays; 9am-10pm weekends and bank holidays.
• Harold Wood polyclinic, The Drive (off Gubbins Lane), Harold Wood, RM3 0AR; tel 01708 792000. It is open 8am-8pm every day of the year (including weekends and all public holidays).
• South Hornchurch walk-in service, South End Road, Rainham, RM13 7XJ, tel: 01708 576 000. It is open 10am-2pm and 3pm-7pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm Saturday and Sunday.

• Pharmacy – Many common illnesses, such as coughs or colds, can be best and most easily treated by visiting your local pharmacy where you can speak to a pharmacist without an appointment. There are a number of pharmacies open over the weekend including bank holiday Monday. A full list will be available on:
  • Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commission Group (CCG) website here
  • Havering CCG website here
  • Redbridge CCG website here.

• NHS 111 service – If you need medical help fast and your surgery is closed, you can call NHS 111 Clinical Assessment service on 1 1 1 at any time of day or night. Its trained advisors and experienced clinicians can assess you, offer advice and direct you to the right place for the medical care you need as quickly as possible.

• Mental health support – If you need to speak to someone urgently you can call NELFT mental health direct on 0300 555 1000 at any time.

Dr Jagan John, local GP and chair of NHS Barking and Dagenham CCG, said: “If you or your child do get ill over the bank holiday weekend, there are lots of ways to get the care you need. No one wants to spend their time sitting in A&E and you don’t need to, as there are quicker, easier ways to get treatment, or to be seen by a nurse or doctor.

“Going to the right place ensures you receive the help you require as quickly as possible, and it also helps to free up A&E for people with life threatening injuries and illnesses.”