Pharmacies open to help during festive holidays
Pharmacies across Lanarkshire have joined forces to ensure that residents have access to an open pharmacy throughout the festive period.
As we find ourselves at the heart of the festive holidays, community pharmacies can be a great first port of call for healthcare advice and treatments for many common minor clinical conditions, without the need for a prescription.
Details of all pharmacies open throughout the festive period can be found on NHS Lanarkshire’s Winter Health Hub, an online resource designed to help Lanarkshire residents access a wide range of healthcare services this winter.
Lauren Gibson, the health board’s lead pharmacist for community pharmacy services, said: “There’s lots of support for minor conditions that community pharmacies can provide without a prescription.
“We have the Pharmacy First Service, where your pharmacist can support with minor conditions such as coughs and colds, sore throats, upset stomachs, constipation and diarrhoea.
“Pharmacies can also provide access to emergency hormonal contraception.
“You can also access antibiotics, if appropriate, for urine infections, skin infections and eye infections.
“The pharmacist will assess you and, if appropriate, you will be given treatment.
“If the pharmacist does not think that medication is appropriate, they can provide self-care advice, or referral advice and signpost you to where you can receive the right care.”
Lanarkshire residents are also encouraged to ensure they have enough of their regular medications to last throughout the festive period.
Lauren added: “As we move closer to the New Year, make sure you’ve got your regular repeat medication ordered in plenty of time.
“Know when your GP practice and community pharmacy will be open, as this might be different from normal.
“If you have forgotten to order one of your regular medications, pharmacies can offer an urgent supply of medication if appropriate.
“You should also ensure you are prepared as best you can for any self-care needs at home.
“I think the beauty of community pharmacy is that it is so accessible, particularly on the weekends.
“We have pharmacies in Lanarkshire that are open throughout the festive period, so it’s definitely worth checking what is open near to where you live over the holidays.”
The NHS Lanarkshire Winter Health Hub and a list of all open pharmacies operating times can be accessed via https://www. nhslanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk/yourhealth/winter-health/pharmacy/