GP Practices will be closed for the Christmas and Boxing Day Public Holidays on Tuesday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 26. GP Practices will also be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 for the New Year Bank Holiday. Western Urgent Care GP Out of Hours Service will provide urgent medical care for problems that cannot wait until GP Practices re-open. The GP Out of Hours Service will be operating for all GP Practices from 6.00 pm Monday evening on December 24 until GP Practices open at 8.30 am on Thursday, December 27.

Western Urgent Care will also be operating over the New Year period from 6.00 pm on Monday, December 31 until GP Practices open again at 8.30 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.

The telephone number for Western Urgent Care, the GP Out-of-Hours Service in the Western Area, is 02871 865 195.

Western Urgent Care, the Health and Social Care Board and local GPs wish to remind the public to check their medicines and to ensure that they have collected any repeat prescriptions from the GP and pharmacy and have sufficient supplies to cover the extended public holiday period. Local pharmacy out-of-hours arrangements will be operating over the Bank holidays. For some minor ailments you may go directly to a pharmacy for advice and treatment if appropriate.

Details of dental services will be displayed at dental surgeries or can be obtained by contacting your dentist. For urgent dental problems out-of-hours patients should contact their dental surgery.

Further information on the GP Out of Hours service and pharmacy out of hours arrangements can be found at www.gpoutofhours.hscni.net.

Members of the public are reminded that GP Out-of-Hours is an appointment only service. Patients must ensure that they telephone first as we may be able to provide advice over the phone. If an appointment is needed with a GP the time and location will be agreed with you by telephone before arrival.