Go to the pharmacy first with ailments
Local community pharmacies can be a godsend for patients who need advice and treatment during the busy Easter holidays
THOUSANDS of people will contact NHS 24 helplines over Easter – but they may get faster treatment for some conditions if they speak to their pharmacy first.
With many GP surgeries closed over the break, NHS 24 staff are gearing up to handle more than 40,000 calls during the holiday weekend.
But more than a third of these will be referred to a local community pharmacy and NHS 24 are advising people to consider their chemist first for a range of ailments.
Local community pharmacists have undergone five years’ training and are the health professionals on our high streets.
Experts in medicine, they can diagnose ailments and can often provide prescription medicine, even if you haven’t been to see your GP.
The main issues referred to pharmacies are coughs, colds, sore throats and aches and pains, childhood ailments, constipation, sticky eyes and allergies.
Advice for all of these ailments can be given in a pharmacy, where you can access immediate advice and sometimes much faster relief.
It’s not fun being ill at any time of the year, but it can be particularly bad during the holiday season when GP surgeries are closed or you are away from home.
Whether you access your own local pharmacy or another if you’re on holiday elsewhere in Scotland, you’ll be benefiting from expert advice.
The advice comes as part of the annual Be Health-Wise this Easter campaign, run by NHS 24 on behalf of NHS Scotland.
Easter is one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS in Scotland and the campaign aims to reduce pressure on vital services.
Depending on local health services, GP surgeries are set to be closed for either three or four days from Good Friday on April 14 to Easter Monday on April 17, before reopening again on April 18.
Professor George Crooks, NHS 24’s medical director, said: “We want everyone to enjoy a lovely break and are offering advice so people are as prepared as possible.
“It is simple steps, such as having enough over-the-counter medication in the medicine cupboard and planning ahead for repeat prescriptions over Easter.”
With children off school and improving weather, there can be an increased risk of minor injuries like bumps, bruises and cuts.
It’s an idea to have antiseptic cream, wipes and plasters available.
NHS 24 pharmacist Hazel Close added: “The pharmacy also has the advantage of being able to see what’s going on in a way that we can’t over the phone line.
“Sometimes we want to have someone look at the condition, especially if there’s a rash.
“The biggest use of community pharmacies is probably to get a prescription from your GP, but if a patient does run out of medicine over Easter, they can go to the community pharmacy for an emergency supply.”
Those who are unwell or caring for a loved one can find advice on treating minor ailments at home by visiting www.nhsinform.scot/easter.
If a patient does run out of medicine over Easter, they can go to the pharmacy for a supply