PRIMARY Care services across County Durham will be available to patients over the VE Day, May bank holiday.
Anyone requiring medical care will be able to access GP services by calling NHS111 on Friday 8 May.
Dr Stewart Findlay, chief officer, NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “The VE Day bank holiday will be a working day for the NHS.
“GP services will be open and operating from seven hubs across County Durham, from 8am to 6pm on Friday 8 May and over the weekend – in addition we also have out of hours arrangements in place from Friday, 6pm, till Monday, 8am.
“Patients will be able to access healthcare services by calling NHS111 for a telephone assessment which will enable appointments to be prioritised for those most in need.”
All GP services across the county have moved to total telephone triage, using on line and video consultations. Patients are asked not to enter GP hubs for any reason before the need for a face-to-face appointment being agreed.
Health advice is also available to patients by completing an online (eConsult) form on their local practice website.
“It is very important to stress that primary and community services remain available over the bank holiday,” added Dr Findlay.
“If anyone has any urgent health concerns they should ring NHS111 as soon as possible and not ignore symptoms.”