The North West is experiencing some of the coldest temperatures this week, with another wave of arctic weather hitting the region.
As temperatures go below minus 10 degrees Celsius senior health, police and council leaders are appealing to communities across the area for support.
Dr Ruth Hussey, North West Regional Director for Public Health said "We know that each winter we can expect an extra 3,000 people to die in the North West because of the cold weather. All agencies across the North West are pulling together and we're trying to get the message out through all our networks that we need people to take precautions. Not only will they be protecting their own safety, welfare and health; they will be helping local services to deal with local emergencies."
Dr Bill Forsyth, Medical Director for Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT said "Last winter emergency hospital admissions in the Northwest went up by 18,000 to over 45,500. We know that if temperatures fall below 12 degrees Celsius this increases the risk of respiratory problems and the number of people who have heart-attacks and strokes.
"We need older people and those who have long-term conditions to make sure they keep taking their medication. And we need everyone to help our A&E and 999 teams by only using them for life-threatening and serious conditions, such as heart attacks, strokes, breathing problems and serious accidents. The figures have shown for some time now that A&E is being used inappropriately for conditions which could easily be treated by over the counter medicines or with advice from a GP."
Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT are urging people to take note of the opening hours for local pharmacies, most of which run a minor ailments scheme that can deal with a lot of common diseases without needing a doctor, so A&E departments can concentrate on helping emergency cases, especially in such difficult weather conditions.
Community Pharmacy Christmas and New Year Opening Hours
Christmas Day
- Cedrics Chemist, Alderley Edge. Rota Services 12 noon to 1pm.
Boxing Day
- The Co-operative Pharmacy, Wilmslow Health Centre, Chapel Lane. Rota Services 12 noon to 1pm.
December 27th - Bank Holiday
- Boots, Grove Street, Wilmslow. Open 11am to 4pm.
- Boots at Waitrose, Church Stree, Wilmslow. Open 9am to 6pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Kilncroft Lane, Handforth. Open 10am to 4pm.
December 28th - Bank Holiday
- Boots, Grove Street, Wilmslow. Open 11am to 4pm.
- Boots at Waitrose, Church Stree, Wilmslow. Open 9am to 6pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Kilncroft Lane, Handforth. Open 9am to 9pm.
New Years Day
- Lloyds Pharmacy, 2 Summerfield Village Centre, Dean Row Road. Rota Services 12 noon to 1pm.
January 3rd - Bank Holiday
- Boots, Grove Street, Wilmslow. Open 11am to 4pm.
- Boots at Waitrose, Church Street, Wilmslow. Open 9am to 6pm.
- Tesco Pharmacy, Kilncroft Lane, Handforth. Open 9am to 9pm.
If you require urgent medical attention over the festive period that cannot wait until your GP practice is open, you can call the Out of Hours service on 01625 502999.
Please see our directory for full addresses and telephone numbers for the pharmacies listed above.
