Plan ahead for a healthy and Happy Easter
The NHS in Gloucestershire is urging people to keep healthy over the Easter break by planning in advance, taking some simple steps and thinking twice before heading to A&E or calling 999 when it’s not an emergency.
Here are some top tips to keep well over Easter:
- Be prepared – make sure you get any prescriptions and medicines you might need before the bank holidays
- Don’t forget to order your regular prescriptions in advance and make sure you collect enough medication to last throughout the Easter period
- Remember to take your prescribed medication with you if you are visiting family or friends
- If you need an urgent prescription because you have run out of your normal prescribed medicines, most community pharmacies can help
- Keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home, with medicines such as paracetamol which can treat a number of everyday illnesses
- Take early action – seek advice from your local pharmacy if you have a long-term health condition and are starting to feel unwell before it gets more serious.
- Further advice can be found at www.nhs.uk/staywell
If you do find yourself ill, injured, or unwell and are not sure where to seek help, here are a few useful pointers:
- If you think you may need A&E or to get the right care 24/7, click 111.nhs.uk or call 111. The 111 phone service can book you into local NHS services including GP surgeries, Community Minor Injury and Illness Units or A&E where appropriate.
- The ASAP website provides information about lots of health conditions, looking after yourself and where to find the right help. You can also download the ASAP Glos NHS App free from your App store.
- Community pharmacies are a great first port of call for minor ailments and they can advise on whether another NHS service is needed.
- Patients can access GP surgery services over the Easter period via the GP-led Gloucester Health Access Centre at Quayside House, Gloucester. It is open every day over the break between 8am and 8pm. Please call 01452 336 290 to make an appointment.
- When your GP surgery is closed, if you have an urgent need, call NHS 111 and they will make sure you receive the care you need.
- Community Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Units can treat a variety of injuries and illnesses for adults and children. A number of them are open until 8pm every evening. Check locations and opening hours on the ASAP website and ASAP Glos NHS App. Patients who need to be seen in an MIIU are encouraged to get in touch prior to attending by calling 0300 421 7777 (local call rate) or 111.
- Use Emergency Services wisely – only dial 999 or attend the A&E Departments at Gloucester or Cheltenham for serious injuries or life-threatening situations such as unconsciousness, heavy loss of blood, severe chest pain, or stroke.
Tewkesbury GP, Dr Jeremy Welch, advises:
“The key thing to remember before the Easter break is to plan in advance and ensure you and your family are well prepared for all eventualities.
The simple steps outlined above should help ensure you get the holiday period off to a good start and know where to look for advice should the need arise.”
To find your nearest pharmacist and details of opening hours over the Easter period, visit: