As many Scots prepare to make the most of the Easter holidays and the onset of spring by reaching for the tools or lawnmower, a major health campaign is urging DIY and gardening enthusiasts to be prepared.
As part of the NHS Scotland Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign – which features the wise Dr Owl – DIY and gardening enthusiasts are being urged to take care and be prepared to deal with any minor accidents before tackling those all-important home and garden improvements.
By taking a few simple steps and knowing when their GP surgery is open, re-stocking their medicine cabinet and first aid box if needed, and using local pharmacies to seek advice and to treat any minor cuts, bumps, bruises and scrapes, any enthusiastic painters, builders and gardeners can help ensure they stay healthy this Easter weekend.
Sheena Wright, Executive Director of Nursing and Care at NHS 24, said: “Every Easter we see an increase in calls resulting from DIY accidents and we would encourage Scots to be prepared before they open the toolbox or garden shed.
“With the onset of spring this weekend and the clocks going forward, many people will be taking advantage of the extra hour of daylight to catch up with those jobs in the house and garden.
“We are encouraging DIY enthusiasts to keep treatments for minor injuries, such as plasters and antiseptic, in the first aid box, visit their pharmacist for health advice and know when they can get an appointment at their GP surgery.”
“With many GP surgeries closed for four days over the Easter weekend, these are a few simple steps people can take to stay healthy.”
Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs will be working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
The four key steps recommended by Be Ready for Easter are:
Check you have cold and flu remedies
Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.
Use your local pharmacy
Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also pick up plasters and antiseptic creams to prepare for any minor accidents.
Make sure you have enough repeat prescription.
If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period. Only order what you need.
Know when your GP surgery will be open
Your local doctor’s surgery may be closed for four days during the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday (April 4 – April 7).
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