THURSDAY, 14 DECEMBER, 2023

For immediate release: Accompanying video can be found at https://youtu.be/eomXPxobTcw

Prepare for the holidays and know where to get the Right Care in the Right Place

NHS Tayside is encouraging people to get ready for the festive holidays and make sure they know what to do if they have a health issue during these times.

With GPs closed for four days at Christmas, from 23-26 December, and four days at New Year, from 30 December to 2 January, it’s important to be well prepared and make sure you know where to get the right care in the right place for different health issues.

Your local pharmacy, GP surgery or NHS Inform are your first port of call for general ailments which are not urgent.

NHS Inform has lots of useful self-care advice, answers to common health questions and symptom checkers. You can also download the NHS 24 app from the App Store or Play Store.

If you have a minor illness, such as a sore throat, a cough or cold, an upset stomach or general aches and pains, your local community pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice and over the counter medicines. You can also get advice and treatment without a prescription through the Pharmacy First service for ailments such as constipation, indigestion, urine infections in females, minor skin infections and impetigo, minor eye infections, and shingles. You do not need an appointment for this service.

Most GP surgeries have a range of staff, including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and mental health professionals, who can help you with issues such as vomiting, headaches, ear pain, back or abdominal pain, or concerns about mental wellbeing. If you are unwell when your surgery is closed at weekends and over the holidays, please wait until it reopens, contact a local community pharmacy or visit NHS Inform.

If your illness or injury cannot wait, but it’s not life threatening, you should call NHS 24 on 111 who can give you advice and refer you to the most appropriate service for your needs.

If it’s an emergency, you should call 999 or go to the Emergency Department (ED). Do not attend ED with a problem that you would normally see your GP with. This will allow ED to concentrate on emergencies. 

If you take regular medication please check that you have enough to last over the holidays and, if you need more, make sure you order it in plenty of time and allow seven days between ordering and collecting your prescription from the pharmacy. Friday 15 December is the last day to order in time for Christmas. Remember to check what you have in the house, and only order what you need, there is no need to stockpile medicines.

Pharmacies can also provide emergency hormonal contraception and access to urgent supplies of your regular medication. Please do not contact the out-of-hours service, as this is for urgent medical problems only and providing repeat medications may delay treatment for others.

Make sure you have common medicines such as paracetamol (including liquid paracetamol for children), ibuprofen, cold and flu remedies, antihistamines and medicine for stomach bugs, as well as first aid kit supplies like plasters, bandages and antiseptic wipes/creams.  Always follow the instructions on the pack and only buy what you need to save medicines going out of date and being wasted.  

Visit NHS Tayside’s website www.keepwellinwinter.scot.nhs.uk for further information and advice on looking after you and your family’s health this winter.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718