NHS Christmas Advice

The NHS are encouraging everyone to be aware of health services available over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays.  If you are unfortunately ill over the festive holidays, please consider these ways of getting treatment, with further online advice from www.nhs.uk

Treat yourself for simple illness and minor cuts, sprains and burns.  Keep painkillers and cough remedies in a safe place at home and have a first aid kit handy.  Check your medicine cabinet and make sure you have the following basics to get you through the next few months:

• Your usual painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin
• Cold and flu remedies 
• Anti-diarrhoea medicine
• Oral rehydration salts
• Indigestion remedies
• Plasters
• Bandages
• Thermometer
• Tissues

Ask your local pharmacist (chemist) for advice on minor illness.  Your local pharmacist can offer you free, qualified health advice at any time, and no appointment is necessary. From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses and answer any questions about prescribed and over-the-counter medicines.  Pharmacy opening times over Christmas and New Year are listed below and are also available on www.nhs.uk

NHS 111: If it is urgent, call 111 available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get advice on which service is best for you. Specially trained call handlers have access to advice from nurses or doctors. They can arrange for you to contact the out-of-hours GP service or an emergency dentist if needed