NHS health providers for the Maldon district have issued a Christmas and New Year message with details of what to do in a health emergency as area enters the holiday period on Tier 4.

Clinicians are reminding people to call NHS 111 first for urgent medical advice before attending hospital A&E except when it is life threatening.

A spokesperson for Mid Essex CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) said: "Contacting NHS 111 first means everyone will get the right treatment more quickly and probably closer to home as well. It also means that visitors to the area don't need to look up details of NHS services if they need urgent treatment. The NHS 111 team will do all that and book them in at an allocated time where they can receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Dial 999 in case of emergency only or a life-threatening medical condition.

GP practices will continue as normal in Tier 4, with remote consultations available. They will be closed on the three bank holidays (Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day) over the holiday period.

Mid Essex has an extended access scheme which offers GP and nurse appointments on weekdays, evenings and at the weekend all year round. If you would like to book an appointment through the extended access scheme, phone your registered GP practice. If the practice is closed, their automated message will contain the number to call for your local out-of-hours service.

GP practices will be open as usual between Boxing Day and New Year's (Tuesday 29 and Thursday 31 December).

People can still contact their GP practice by calling for appointments as they would normally. Those who require medical advice will be given a video or telephone consultation and only asked to visit the practice if this is deemed necessary by the clinical team. This will reduce the risk to you and the clinical team and is in line with current guidance. It is important that anyone who has symptoms of Covid-19 does not leave home and this includes going to their GP practice. GP practice staff will be there to provide care for those who need it for all other medical conditions and concerns, including for those with long term conditions and for those needing immunisations.

There are four main ways to seek healthcare advice from a GP:

• Call your surgery to discuss a face-to-face or virtual (telephone or video) appointment
• In some practices you can visit your GP surgery website and complete a confidential online form to receive a response before the end of the next working day
• Call NHS 111 or go online to seek advice
• Download the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions, book appointments and check your symptoms.

Your local pharmacy can also offer medical advice on a range of conditions including coughs, colds, aches and pains, all without the need for an appointment. Remember, over the Christmas period your regular pharmacy may be shut or have different opening times on the bank holidays.

Guides to healthcare services across mid and south Essex can be accessed via the link here. You can also find details of your local pharmacy by visiting the NHS website via the link here