This also includes some practices in Cambuslang and Rutherglen.
Opening hours will vary and these will be publicised at your local surgery and on the NHS Lanarkshire public website at https://www.nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/your-health/winter-health/
NHS Lanarkshire medical director, Dr Jane Burns, said: “Our out-of-hours service, which operates when GP practices are closed, is always extremely busy on the days following Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
“The additional Lanarkshire GP opening hours will help ensure that patients who are in need of urgent care can be in contact with their own GP practice and, if necessary, be seen conveniently and quickly.”
This is the fifth year that a number of Lanarkshire GPs and their staff have gone the extra mile to provide this festive service to patients.
NHS Lanarkshire has put the initiative in place with the support of Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
Dr Burns said: “Patients should check with their own GP surgery or the NHS Lanarkshire public website for opening times on these public holidays and Saturdays.
“Anyone registered with a participating practice will be able to contact the practice during those times if they need to speak to a member of the primary care team or see a GP urgently.
“Other patients who require an urgent appointment and can’t wait until their own GP practice is open should call NHS 24 on 111 for appropriate advice and access to support from the out-of-hours service.”
Some pharmacies also have festive opening hours at Christmas and New Year. Virtually all pharmacies will be open on the Saturdays. Details are on the winter health section of the NHS Lanarkshire website via the Scotland’s services directory link.
Dr Burns added: “Community pharmacies can provide advice and treatment for many conditions, avoiding the need to see a GP or attending hospital emergency departments which are always very busy at this time of year and should only ever be accessed for emergency conditions.”
The festive opening arrangements for GPs and pharmacies are part of NHS Lanarkshire’s comprehensive plan to cope with winter, the health service’s busiest time of year.
Dr Burns added: “Knowing when your GP surgery and local pharmacy are open will help you to ‘Be Health-Wise This Winter’.
“You should also ensure that you have supplies of any regular medication and get your flu vaccination if you are in the right age group or have particular health needs.”