Make sure that you are prepared for festive period

Rutherglen and Cambuslang residents are being encouraged to have their preparations in place in time for the festive period.

NHS Lanarkshire’s health board has a robust plan so that patients continue to receive high quality care throughout the winter months.

Now health staff are encouraging residents to have their own preparations in place by knowing when local services are open over the festive period.

Those preparations may include ordering any repeat prescriptions early, getting the flu jab and stocking up on over the counter remedies for common winter illnesses like coughs and colds.

Craig Cunningham, Head of Health, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Lanarkshire’s winter planning lead, said: “We have a tried and tested approach to winter planning in Lanarkshire, which we are improving every year with innovative approaches to ensure we can provide a rapid and effective response during the periods of greatest pressure.”

This year’s plan includes additional opening hours for nearly half of Lanarkshire’s GP practices on Mondays following Christmas and New Year.

Patients registered with these practices, who need urgent access to see a GP, will be able to make an appointment during the time they are open.

Other patients who require an urgent appointment and cannot wait until their GP practice is open should call NHS 24 on 111.

For more information on the Lanarkshire winter plan and health advice this winter visit: www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/HealthyLiving/ Winter .