Pharmacy opening times this Christmas 2018 and New Year

Details of pharmacies that are open in the Rochdale Borough on bank holidays this Christmas 2018 and New Year are listed below.

Pharmacists are high street health experts who can offer advice on many common winter health conditions, including colds and flu, and provide guidance on effective over the counter remedies to help - no appointment necessary.

Patients are advised to telephone their usual pharmacy before travelling.

Boots Pharmacy
50 Market Way Exchange Shopping Centre, Rochdale,OL16 1EA
01706 653225

• Open 9am - 5pm Boxing Day (Wednesday 26 December 2018)

Wellfield Pharmacy
Wellfield Health Centre, Oldham Road, Rochdale, OL11 1AD
01706 508 121

• Open 10am - 4pm Christmas Day (Tuesday 25 December 2018)
• Open 9am - 7pm Boxing Day (Wednesday 26 December 2018)
• Open 9am - 7pm New Year’s Day (Tuesday 1 January 2019)

Yorkshire Street Pharmacy
200 Yorkshire Street, Rochdale, OL16 2DW
01706 559 002

• Open 4pm - 8pm Christmas Day (Tuesday 25 December 2018)

Asda Pharmacy
The Old Cricket Ground Dane Street, Rochdale, OL12 6XT            
01706 652 010      

• Open 9am - 6pm Boxing Day (Wednesday 26 December 2018)     
• Open 10am - 5pm New Year’s Day (Tuesday 1 January 2019)

Pharmacist Aneet Kapoor, Chair of Greater Manchester Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said: “Visiting your local pharmacy is your fastest route to care.  You don’t need an appointment – you can just pop in any time for expert advice from a highly-trained healthcare professional who can help prevent conditions like coughs or colds from getting worse.

“Pharmacies are the best place to go at the first sign of minor ailments, especially over Christmas and New Year, whether you’ve got a winter bug, a tummy upset, a migraine, eczema or other skin problem, or a small burn while cooking Christmas dinner.  You can also get the morning-after pill from many pharmacies without needing to see a GP.  We would also encourage people who take regular medications to make sure their prescription will last them over Christmas and New Year.”

Top tips to stay well this winter:

• Make pharmacy your first port of call for advice/care for minor conditions and general health advice.  Go to the pharmacy at the first sign of any minor illness e.g. coughs, colds, sore throats, flu, and aches & pains.
   
• Cold weather can increase your risk of getting ill, including coughs and colds, flu, heart attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression.
   
• Keeping warm can help you stay well and reduce your risk of being ill.  Keep your home heated to at least 18°C, wrap up well with lots of layers and have plenty of hot drinks.
   
• Keep some paracetamol handy in your medicine cabinet – it can help relieve pain and reduce temperatures if you get a winter bug.
   
• If you use any regular medication, make sure you have enough to last you over Christmas and New Year. 
   
• Look out for family, friends and neighbours who may be vulnerable over winter – check they’re okay and not feeling isolated, unwell or too cold.  Offer to help them with shopping etc if it’s too cold/icy for them to go out.
   
• You can call NHS 111 and speak to a highly trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. This service is available for people who urgently need medical help or advice, but don’t have a 999 emergency. You can also get medical help or advice from 111 online using your smartphone, laptop or other digital device. The service is free to use and helps to direct patients to the right care, first time.