During the bank holiday, Oxfordshire’s healthcare partners would like to remind our residents and patients about the minor changes, to the following services:

· 24/7 mental health helpline

· Minor Injuries Units

· GP practices

· Community pharmacy services

· Dental services

Please see below for details on the different services:

24/7 mental health helpline

If you or people you live with don’t have coronavirus symptoms and you think you need advice for a physical or mental health concern:

We have launched a new service to provide people with mental health advice during the coronavirus pandemic covering a range of conditions and symptoms including anxiety, low mood, stress, worry, difficulty with relationships. You can find out more here

Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire

Adults 01865 904997; Children 01865 904998.

The helpline adds to the range of ways people can get support locally including Safe Havens which continue to offer an alternative to A&E for mental health care in the evenings and at weekends during the outbreak.

Banbury Safe Haven: To self-refer ring 01295 270004 or 07851246546.

Oxford Safe Haven: To self-refer ring 01865 903037 (Fri-Mon)

People who already use mental health services should contact services directly using the numbers in their care plan.

Dial 999 if you think that your life, or that of another person, is at immediate risk.

Minor Injuries Units

Minor Injuries Units (MIUs) are for injuries, such as deep cuts, eye injuries, broken bones, severe sprains, minor head injury, minor burns and scalds. This service can be accessed by calling 111 where you may be given an appointment if appropriate. Full details on our MIUs and First Aid Units – locations and opening times – are here

GP practices

• GP practice services on Friday 8 May will be available. This may be offered by your practice or another nearby service.

If you think you need to talk to your GP practice about something other than coronavirus.:

1. Contact your GP practice online or by phone to be assessed. If your practice is not open for any reason you will be directed to another nearby service.
2. If a face-to-face appointment is necessary, you’ll be advised on this.

Community pharmacy services

• Many community pharmacies will be open for a minimum of three hours on Friday 8 May with some pharmacies being open longer. Please check theNHS website or your pharmacy’s own website for details.

Pharmacists and their teams are an essential part of the NHS and need your help and support during the coronavirus pandemic. Always treat our staff with respect, they are doing their best to provide you with the medicines and advice you need.

Dental services

If you think you need urgent dental treatment:

• call your dentist
• if you cannot contact your dentist, or you do not have one, use the NHS 111 online service
• if a clinical appointment is necessary, this will be arranged at an urgent dental care centre.

Important information on prescriptions during the COVID-19 pandemic

1. Order repeat prescriptions in your usual quantities at the usual time. Over ordering of your medicines may mean someone else has to go without their medicines.
2. Order your usual prescription online or by an app. Do not go to your GP practice or pharmacy to order prescriptions and only phone them if you cannot order online or by an app. You can order repeat prescriptions on the NHS App and through your GP surgery or pharmacy’s online service, where available. You can find out about ordering medicines online at nhs.uk
3. If you have a prescription to collect:
4. If you are 70 or over, have a long-term health condition or are pregnant you should arrange collection by a relative or friend, or ask your pharmacy for advice about delivery
5. Ask any relatives and friends who are delivering your medicines to make sure they have seen you pick up the bag
6. If your medicines are being delivered make sure you keep a safe distance when you receive them.
7. For everyone else, if you are going into a pharmacy in person, follow social distancing rules and the rules put in place by the pharmacy to protect you and their staff
8. Pharmacies may have altered opening times to manage their workload
9. Sales of some medicines may be restricted in quantity by pharmacies to ensure that there is enough for everyone.