Pharmacy opening times this Christmas

A good selection of pharmacies on the Fylde coast will be open over Christmas and New Year to offer advice and treatments for minor illnesses and injuries.

Pharmacists are highly trained professionals with a wealth of knowledge of how to deal with common ailments that are prevalent at this time of year. Illnesses such as coughs, colds, stomach bugs, indigestion or hangovers can all be dealt with simple remedies bought over the counter with advice from the pharmacist.

The festive period is traditionally an extremely busy time for the health service with more people suffering injury or illness and automatically going to A&E when they are better off going to places like the Walk-in (Blackpool) or Same Day (Fleetwood) centres. Similarly, GPs see more people making appointments for complaints such as colds which take up time that could be used to see people with more serious conditions which are often made worse by the cold.

It is essential people use the right service so other services are not put under unnecessary pressure.

It is also important to know where to go to get medication if you need a prescription over the festive period.

In Blackpool, all pharmacies will be open on Christmas Eve, however, some pharmacy opening times may vary. Speak to your local pharmacy for more information

The pharmacy at Whitegate Drive Health Centre will be open on Christmas Day from 8am to 9pm.

On Boxing Day, pharmacies will be open at:

  • Whitegate Drive Health Centre, 8am to 9pm
  • Boots, Bank Hey Street, 9am to 5.30pm
  • Lloyds, Sainsbury’s, Red Bank Road, 9am to 6pm
  • Morrison’s Pharmacy, Squires Gate Lane, 10am to 4pm

All pharmacies will be open as normal on New Year’s Eve, however some pharmacy opening times may vary. Speak to your local pharmacy for more information.

On New Year’s Day, pharmacies will be open at:

  • Whitegate Drive Health Centre, 8am to 9pm
  • Lloyds Pharmacy, Sainsbury’s, Red Bank Road, 10am to 4pm
  • Boots, Bank Hey Street, 10am to 5pm

In Fylde and Wyre, all pharmacies will be open on Christmas Eve, however some pharmacy opening times may vary. Speak to your local pharmacy for more information.

On Christmas Day, pharmacies will be open at:

  • Wesham Pharmacy, Station Road, 10am to 1pm
  • Tomlinsons Chemist, Market Square, Lytham, 11am to 2pm

On Boxing Day, pharmacies will be open at:

  • Lloyds Pharmacy, St Andrews Road North, St Annes, 9am to 5pm
  • Boots, Clifton Street, Lytham, 10.30am to 4pm
  • Boots, Victoria Road West, Cleveleys, 10am to 4pm
  • Boots St Annes Road West, Lytham, 10.30am to 4.30pm
  • Morrisons Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, 10am to 4pm
  • Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood, 9am to 6pm

All pharmacies will be open on New Year’s Eve, however some pharmacy opening times may vary. Speak to your local pharmacy for more information.

On New Year’s Day, pharmacies will be open at:

  • Lloyds Pharmacy, St Andrews Road North, St Annes, 9am to 5pm
  • Asda Pharmacy, Dock Street, Fleetwood, 10am to 6pm
  • Morrions Pharmacy, Amounderness Way, Thornton Cleveleys, 10am to 4pm

Speaking on behalf of NHS Fylde and Wyre and NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Groups, Dr John Calvert, a Blackpool GP and Clinical Advisor at NHS Blackpool Clinical Commissioning Group said: “We really need people to remember that the Accident and Emergency department is strictly for accidents and emergencies.”

“People with minor ailments could face a lengthy wait to be seen and would be better off visiting a pharmacist or looking after themselves at home.

“The other services such as the Walk-In and Same-Day Health Centres should be kept free for those who are in need of treatment for an urgent complaint.

“A&E especially should be kept free those in need of emergency treatment for life-threatening conditions. The festive period is the busiest time of the year for the NHS so it’s important people remember to use the most appropriate service when required.

“Anyone who is feeling unwell and isn’t sure what they should do can always ring 111 for help and advice on where to go and who to see.”

A full list of Christmas opening times for pharmacies and other services across the Fylde Coast is available at http://whyaande.nhs.uk/xmas