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With Easter fast approaching, Sefton health professionals are reminding people to ensure they use the right NHS service for them, should they or their family members become unwell over the long weekend and also during the first May bank holiday.

GP practices will be closed from Good Friday (19 April) to Easter Monday (22 April) and the early May bank holiday (6 May) but there are several other ways for Sefton residents to access medical help during this time, if they need it.

Susanne Lynch, head of medicines management at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG said: “Pharmacists are a great resource. We recommend taking advantage of all the services available at your local pharmacy for any minor health-related concerns and if you need a GP appointment to think about using the extended access service.

“Pharmacists are highly trained and are able to offer clinical advice and over the counter medicines to manage a range of minor health concerns, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy troubles, aches and pains and many more.

“Most pharmacies will have private consultation rooms where they can advise you on self-care treatments and give you advice on your medication.”

If you do need an appointment there are now extended GP appointments of an evening or weekend across Sefton. These appointments can be booked in advance via the GP practice you are registered with or by calling 111.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at the CCGs in Sefton, said: “The extended access GP service launched last October in Sefton and has been popular ever since. Open 365 days a year the service is really useful over bank holiday weekends like Easter. If you do become unwell and your GP practice is closed you can call 111 to book an appointment with your nearest service as long as you are registered with a GP practice in Sefton.”

Pharmacy opening times will differ over the bank holidays. There will be normal opening times on Saturday (20 April), but a reduced service on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday and Monday 6 May. You can view the Easter opening times here: www.southportandformbyccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/ or www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/your-health-and-services/

If you’re unsure which service is right for you, ring NHS 111 to speak to a highly trained adviser who will assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.

You can also visit 111.nhs.uk to get medical advice on where and when to get help.

Southport’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a manifesto that it hopes will enable the continuation and development of its work to bring investment into the town, deliver an exciting events programme and provide a voice for the business community.

BIDS have become an essential part of some of the most successful towns and cities around the UK, each operating on the basis of a five-year term.

This would be the second term for Southport’s BID, which if agreed, would run from 2019 to 2024.

As one of the largest in the country with 950 current members, the levy businesses contribute would bring around £2million across the five year term to be invested directly into the town, in addition to the investment that the BID would proactively attract into Southport.

With a board made up of local independent businesses and on-going consultation with levy-payers, the direction of the BID is always in line with what is important to the retailers, restaurateurs, attractions and accommodation providers of Southport.

Rob Uffendell, Chair of Southport BID, says, “We know that increasing footfall and expenditure is key to the businesses that we represent, that the creation of business opportunities is critical, as is securing investment opportunities for the town.

“The way that we will achieve success in these areas is through strong collaboration and partnership work, vibrant and colourful plans for our events programme and an ambitious belief in the inward investment that we can achieve.”

The launch of its manifesto also gives the opportunity to highlight some of the major achievements made since 2014, all of which have laid foundations for the coming years. These include over £250,000 investment as the sole funders of Southport’s Christmas (and all year round!) lights, funding Lord Street’s famous floral displays, and the launch of a Southport Independents Marketing Campaign, which gave vital exposure to the town’s incredible small businesses.

The BID has also worked closely with core local organisations as the voice for Southport’s businesses, including Sefton Council, Merseyside Police and Marketing Southport. Accomplishments have included the BID’s work to secure £2million from the Coast Community Fund in conjunction with Sefton Council and its on-going leadership role in a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid that focuses upon the historic properties between Lord Street and the Promenade and aims to complement the restoration of King’s Gardens.

It is also currently working on plans to submit an application to the Government’s recently launch High Street improvement fund.

The Southport BID Ballot papers will be dispatched to businesses on 6 May 2019, with the result being announced on 4 June 2019.

All Southport Businesses within the BID district with a ratable value threshold of above £7,000 will be eligible to vote.

For further information visit www.SouthportBID.com or contact the Southport BID office on 01704 538 382.