GP SURGERIES will close in some areas and a number of “non-critical” routine clinics are being cancelled on the day of Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, health boards have advised.
The NHS is also urging anyone who has an appointment on Monday September 19 to let it know if they do not plan to attend so it can be rescheduled.
The Scottish Government has given discretion to NHS boards to manage and plan local health services during the “exceptional” bank holiday.
NHS Western Isles said that planned “time critical” appointments will continue on Monday.
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A spokeswoman added: “A number of routine clinics that are not time critical will be cancelled – we will contact patients individually by telephone to confirm arrangements.”
The health board also said that some GP closures are likely and further information would be issued once all arrangements have been confirmed.
GP practices in NHS Forth Valley will be taking the public holiday, but operations, day case procedures and outpatient appointments will go ahead as planned.
NHS Grampian said all planned care activity, including surgery, will be proceeding as scheduled.
A spokesperson said: “Where patients do wish to cancel a procedure, due to the bank holiday, we will reschedule this for them.
“Community pharmacies, dental and optometry practices may choose to observe the public holiday.
“GP practices will be making decisions at a local level on whether to open or not.
“Given the importance of the winter vaccination programmes we will continue with these clinics whilst offering the opportunity to reschedule.”
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NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it was putting plans into place so that “scheduled appointments can continue as planned wherever possible”.
“As plans progress in the coming days, we will publish any further relevant guidance and patient information via our website and social media channels,” it added.
NHS Highland said it was working with local teams to discuss plans, while NHS Borders also said arrangements were being finalised.
Some areas of the country had a bank holiday on Monday already, with NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Lothian which said they were following plans for a public holiday already in place.
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