NHS remind people where to get urgent care during Eurovision week (5-13 May 2023)
Wednesday, 26 April 2023
With Eurovision fever about to take over the city of Liverpool, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside are keen to remind local residents and visitors about where to get health care and advice should they need it.
Eurovision presents a huge opportunity for Liverpool city region and its visitor economy, with around 100,000 extra visitors expected to turn up – in the run up to, and during the event itself.
Alongside the Eurovision Song Contest finals which are taking place on Saturday 13 May, and the Semi-Finals on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May, Liverpool will also be hosting a pleathora of other Eurovision themed events and activities from 5 May, including EuroFestival, the Eurovision Village on the Pier Head, EuroZone, EuroClub, EuroCamp, as well as many community activities.
Dr Fiona Lemmens, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, and a Liverpool-based GP said:
“We really want people to enjoy themselves in the run-up to Eurovision and during the weekend itself, because it’s such an exciting time for the City of Liverpool, and we’re so proud to be hosting this event on behalf of Ukraine. At the same time, we also want to remind people to be careful when in big crowds, or if they’re going out over the event, as the city centre will be much busier than usual, especially down by the Pier Head.
“We’re asking everyone to please be sensible and look after one another when you’re out and about in the city over the Eurovision week – particularly as so many of our local NHS services are already very stretched at this time.”
The NHS is asking people to be mindful that Eurovision celebrations will coincide with two consecutive bank holidays weekends taking place on 1 May (May Day), and 8 May (for the Coronation of King Charles III), as well as with continued planned industrial action in the NHS during early May which all puts added pressure on NHS staff and services.
Dr Lemmens adds:
“If you or a friend or family member does become injured or unwell when you’re out and about in the city centre and you need urgent help or advice, it’s also really important that you know where to go.
“Please seek advice from NHS 111 online or call 111 if you don’t have access to the internet. The NHS 111 team are best placed to offer you fast advice about where best to go for help, whether that’s at a local walk-in centre, at your GP practice, or even at a city centre pharmacy. If needed, they can also book you an appointment to get seen at a local hospital A&E department as well.”
The NHS is also keen to remind people to plan ahead when it comes to thinking about ordering any repeat prescriptions that they might need in the next couple of weeks and to get them ordered in good time, ahead of the bank holidays and before Eurovision arrives.
If you are already registered to the NHS app and need medication, you can use it to order your repeat prescription yourself.
NHS 111 Online can tell you:
- Where to get help for your symptoms
- How to find general health information and advice
- Where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- How to get a repeat prescription
More information about when to call 999 and when to go to A&E is available via the national NHS website.
Eurovision calendar and news
For more details about what’s happening across the city during Eurovision, please visit the Eurovision website or social media feeds:
Website: eurovision.tv/whats-on-liverpool-eurovision-2023
Twitter: @BBCeurovision
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EurovisionSongContest
Latest updates (from Liverpool)
For real time updates, alerts and advice for the public from the city of Liverpool, please also follow Liverpool City Council on social media:
Twitter: @lpoolcouncil
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lpoolcouncil
Travel information
Please visit the Merseytravel website for the latest travel information and updates on any changes to services during Eurovision:
Website: www.merseytravel.gov.uk/customer-information/eurovision-travel-advice/
Twitter: @Merseytravel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Merseytravel