Healthcare will still be available 24 hours a day while GP surgeries are closed for the Easter long weekend.
With most GP practices closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, Public Health Minister Shona Robison said people could prepare by stocking up on over-the-counter medicines and making sure they had repeat prescriptions.
And on a visit to a special walk-in pharmacy in Dundee, Ms Robison reminded people that pharmacies, hospital accident and emergency services and health helpline NHS 24 would all be available.
The Boots pharmacy in Albert Street, Dundee, is one of eight across Scotland taking part in the ‘Pharmore’ pilot scheme, offering a range of walk-in services ranging from minor illness and injury treatment to simple diagnostic healthcare checks and tests.
NHS Helpline – 0800 22 44 88
Ms Robison said:
“Most GP surgeries will be closed on the upcoming Easter public holidays, but that doesn’t mean healthcare comes to a halt.
“Many pharmacies will be open for some or all of the Easter break and pharmacists can give advice for treating minor ailments and injuries.
“Scotland’s 24-hour health helpline, NHS 24, is just a phone call away and a huge amount of information can also be found on its website. The highly-trained staff there are prepared for an increased volume of calls and anyone with a serious health complaint should not hesitate to get in touch.
“Hospital accident and emergency departments will also be open as usual for anyone requiring urgent medical attention.
“But there are simple things we can all do to be ready for Easter. By making sure we have basic over-the-counter medicines in the house and collecting our repeat prescriptions, we can avoid unnecessary contact with health services and have a happy and healthy Easter.”
NHS24 Medical Director Dr George Crooks, said:
“People have traditionally seen their pharmacy as somewhere to pick up prescriptions or to buy items such as vitamins, but pharmacists are qualified health professionals and an easily accessible source of health information and advice.
“Pharmacists can treat many of the minor ailments that people might normally take to their doctor, but anyone with an illness which cannot wait until their GP surgery re-opens should contact NHS24 for access to appropriate out-of-hours care.”
The Scotland-wide Be Ready for Easter campaign is being spearheaded by NHS Scotland in partnership with NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service, all 14 Scottish territorial health boards, Scotland’s pharmacies and the out-of-hours services.
The campaign uses the following four-step guide to advise people what actions they should take if they feel unwell:
Step One – Self-care and visit a pharmacist
Step Two – Contact your GP for a routine appointment
Step Three – If your GP surgery is closed and you are too ill to wait until it re-opens, use out-of-hour services. These are accessed through NHS 24 on 08454 242424
Step Four – For serious emergencies go to A&E or call 999
For further information on keeping well this Easter and pharmarcy opening times, visit www.nhs24.com or call the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88.
The pharmacies taking part in the ‘Pharmore’ pilot scheme are located in Aberdeen, Airdrie, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee also offer extended evening and weekend opening hours. In most cases, the public can access Pharmore services without an appointment.
The Boots pharmacy in Albert Street, Dundee, offers a range of services, including support for people with mild or moderate depression, Keep Well assessments to help anticipate health problems such as diabetes and heart disease, sexual health tests, alcohol brief interventions and smoking cessation support.
It also provides extended hours opening, seven days a week, opening from 9am until 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturdays and 12pm to 4pm on Sundays.
