PATIENTS are being urged to help the NHS to help them this Christmas and New Year by making sure they go to the right place for treatment.NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is asking anyone who feels unwell to think about the most appropriate place to go for advice so everybody can be treated quickly and effectively.

PATIENTS are being urged to help the NHS to help them this Christmas and New Year by making sure they go to the right place for treatment.

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney is asking anyone who feels unwell to think about the most appropriate place to go for advice so everybody can be treated quickly and effectively.Tips include:

NHS Direct - 0845 46 47 - should be your first port of call unless your condition is life-threatening. Available every day and around the clock, the confidential helpline is staffed by medical professionals who can advise on how to look after yourself at home or where to go for treatment. If necessary, they will transfer your call to the best service for your needs. Advice on treating common problems is also available at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

Obtain expert advice on common ailments and using medicines from your local pharmacist. Over the festive season, pharmacies are expected to operate as usual, with emergency rotas on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day and at least one opening in the area for a few hours on these days so you can pick up prescriptions and other urgent medicines.

GP surgeries will close on Christ-mas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Details are available from your surgery or NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney's website, www.gywpct.nhs.uk

If you need urgent medical care when your surgery is closed, the GP out-of-hours service is there to help. Call your surgery and you will either be transferred or given a number to call.

The doctor can then give advice over the phone, ask you to visit your nearest treatment centre or visit you at home, depending on the problem.

Emergency pharmacy rota

Today (Christmas Day)

Day Lewis Pharmacy, 57 Springfield Road, Gorleston, 11am-noon.

Lloyds Pharmacy, Caister Medical Centre, 44 West Road, noon-1pm

Tomorrow (Boxing Day)

Boots, Gapton Hall Retail Park, Great Yarmouth, 8am to midnight

Boots, 3 Market Place, Great Yarmouth, 10am-4pm

New Year's Day

Boots, Gapton Hall Retail Park, Great Yarmouth, 8.30am-midnight