With the Easter bank holidays fast approaching and the Jewish celebration of Passover, or Pesach, health professionals from NHS in Leeds are encouraging residents to plan ahead to stay well.
Dr Jason Broch, GP and Clinical Chair at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said:
“With GP practices, hospitals and pharmacies under extreme pressure due to Covid-19 and the vaccination programme, it is important that you plan ahead when ordering or collecting repeat prescriptions.
“If you take regular medication make sure you pick up any repeat prescriptions as some GP practices and pharmacies will be closed or have reduced opening hours on the bank holidays. Forgetting to take medication can have serious health consequences for some patients.
“Meanwhile, keep yourself and others safe by only visiting Accident and Emergency departments in life-threatening situations, washing your hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed areas and making space from people you don’t live with. Have a happy and healthy Easter bank holiday.”
Reflecting on Passover celebrations, Helen Lewis of the CCG said:
“This is the first time in 3 years that we will have been able to celebrate with a big group of people in our homes. I know how much this will mean to all of us. Rates of Covid in the city remain extremely high, so please consider taking a lateral flow test before you meet up with your family and friends for Seder and maintain ventilation in your rooms if you can.”
GP appointments will be available throughout the holiday period for those who need them, but anyone with an urgent health issue should contact NHS 111 to speak to a fully trained adviser.
If anyone has any of the following coronavirus symptoms, it is important to stay home and book a test as soon as possible. Symptoms include:
- A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- A new continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
To find GP and pharmacy opening times over the bank holidays, please visit www.leedsccg.nhs.uk/health/bank-holiday/
Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. It celebrates Jesus rising from the dead, three days after he was executed. It starts a week before the traditional Easter Sunday with Palm Sunday which marks the start of Holy Week. The week ends on Easter Sunday which marks Jesus’s resurrection after he was crucified on the cross on Good Friday. The traditional Easter Egg is a Christian symbol of resurrection and new life.
Passover is a celebration of the story of Exodus. During Passover, Jews remember how their ancestors left slavery behind them when they were led out of Egypt by Moses. Passover is celebrated with a special service called a Seder. This takes place over a meal with family and friends at home to mark the start of Passover.
This post is based on a press release issued by NHS Leeds
