Easter out-of-hours help

Selected pharmacies in our area will remain open over the Easter break to offer out-of-hours help and support to those with minor health and care concerns.

Ahead of the break, people taking regular medication are being asked to check their current supply and, wherever necessary, order any additional items to cover the Easter period.

People should also check the opening times of their local pharmacies and, in the event that those nearby are closed, know which other sites in the area will be open.

Easter is always a busy time for the NHS, and they fully anticipate that the current levels of high demand, which our local hospitals and minor injuries units are currently facing, will only increase over the next few days.

People can support these already-stretched services by making use of the pharmacies staying open on the bank holidays and, wherever possible, managing minor illness and injury, including mild Covid-19 symptoms, at home.

NHS 111 can also be used for less-urgent health concerns, with people able to access either the online version, or its telephone counterpart, and get tailored advice and information based on their individual specific symptoms.

The service is available 24 hours a day, including weekends and bank holidays, and can be reached online at www.111.nhs.uk or over the phone by calling 111.

People experiencing a genuine, life-threatening health emergency, such as heavy bleeding, significant chest pain or loss of consciousness, should seek help straight away, either by calling 999 or by visiting the nearest hospital emergency department.