As many pharmacies will be closed or have reduced hours next week, NHS Inform and the NHS 24 Online app offer advice on getting more medicines if your prescription runs out.
Prescriptions over New Year Holidays
Tag: health advice
NHS 24: When to call 111
The 111 service provides urgent care triage if you think you need A&E but it’s not life-threatening, and advice when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.
Knowing when to phone NHS 111 can help us manage calls effectively, and help you get the right care in the right place quickly.
For more information on when it’s best to call us on 111, visit this page 
https://nhs24.info/when-to-phone-111
If there is a danger to life or serious injury, dial 999 or go straight to A&E.
Student health advice from NHS 24
During September students all over Scotland are preparing to start or resume their studies at college or university. As many students will be travelling away from home for the first time, NHS 24 wish to highlight the importance of knowing where to get the right health advice in their new area.
NHS 24’s student health campaign provides details on where to access services such as GPs, dentists, pharmacies, out of hours and urgent care in Scotland. Information on subjects such as immunisations, mental health support and Scotland’s Service Directory are also included.
Representatives from NHS 24 are also visiting numerous colleges and universities throughout Scotland through a programme of ‘health roadshows.’
Michelle Sinclair, Engagement Manager for NHS 24 explains: ‘It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students have made adjustments by switching to online learning at various times during the past two academic years.
‘Attending various freshers and welcome events in person has been really brilliant to promote NHS 24’s 111 service and the health information available on NHS inform. It really makes the difference to be able to provide advice face to face about student’s health requirements, and we get asked a huge variety of questions on a lot of different subjects.’
Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director adds: “It’s an exciting time for students and their families while they prepare to say goodbye to their loved ones to start their studies.
“Health information can quickly slide to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list when you are making plans to move to a different part of the country, but it’s really important you know when and where to access the service you need if you have a health concern.
“If you’ve moved away from your local area to go to college or university, you must register with a new local GP practice. This also includes students who have moved from elsewhere in Scotland, elsewhere in the UK, and abroad. You should also register with a local dentist.
“NHS inform has lots of information on how to access services in your area. By being prepared and following the advice in our student health campaign, this will avoid delays in accessing the care you need, should you require it.”
- NHS inform’s student health guide can be found here: – nhsinform.scot/campaigns/student-health
- Advice on student immunisations – nhsinform.scot/campaigns/vaccines-for-students/
- General advice and information on how to stay healthy can be found at nhsinform.scot
Rugby star issues health warning ahead of World Cup
- The upcoming 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is a once in a lifetime event with over 1.8 million fans expected to attend
- Most fans will not be aware of deadly conditions such as Japanese Encephalitis, Tick Borne Encephalitis and Rabies Enchephalitis which occur across south-east Asia and the Pacific Islands.
- Rugby legend, John Bentley is supporting a campaign encouraging fans to be fully prepared in plenty of time before the games
With a month to go until the Japanese Rugby World Cup 2019, both fans and players will be in full preparation mode, with the event expected to attract the largest ever number of foreign fans. More than 600,000 of the 1.8 million available tickets expected to be held by international fans making the journey to Japan. Continue reading Rugby star issues health warning ahead of World Cup
Enjoy your garden, protect your back
Scotland’s gardeners are being advised to look after their backs as well as their lawns through the summer months.
As the better weather allows people to spend more time outdoors tackling jobs in the garden, NHS 24 is reminding people that a few simple precautions can help to prevent any back or shoulder injuries as a result of their efforts. Continue reading Enjoy your garden, protect your back
DIYers urged: ‘Don’t Injure Yourself’ this Easter
Spring is traditionally the time many people start to think about tackling jobs around the house and garden. DIY and gardening are good forms of exercise but people are also being reminded to avoid accidents with the message ‘Don’t Injure Yourself’. Continue reading DIYers urged: ‘Don’t Injure Yourself’ this Easter
Dr Owl's wise winter advice
Dr Owl will soon be making an appearance in Edinburgh offering his “wise” winter health tips as part of a major public health campaign.
With Christmas only a few weeks away, NHS Scotland’s Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is visiting the capital next Thursday (4 December) to offer advice on some simple steps locals can take to help themselves and their families enjoy a healthy festive period.
Dr Owl is advising people to check they have cold and flu remedies in their medicine cabinet, make sure they have enough repeat prescription to last over the festive period, and to make sure they know when their GP surgeries are open over Christmas and New Year.
Staff from Scotland’s national telehealth service, NHS 24, will be on hand at the event to offer advice on how to stay well this winter and answer questions about winter health issues.
This year’s Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is being supported by The Co-operative Pharmacy and winter health packs – containing an information leaflet, lip balm, hand sanitisers and plasters – will be available to visitors to the roadshow.
NHS 24’s Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “The Be Health-Wise This Winter roadshow in Edinburgh offers the ideal opportunity for locals to take some time out from their Christmas shopping to get some important information about their health this winter.
“By preparing ahead, people can ensure they make the most of the festive period, by not allowing winter coughs and colds to spoil their holiday. Listen to the wise words of Dr Owl and make sure you have cough and cold remedies at home to deal with any winter ailments that may strike this winter.
“Your local pharmacist is also a good source of information and advice on what to have in your medicine cabinet. If you need to visit your GP, try to schedule an appointment before the festive period and make sure you submit your repeat prescription request in plenty of time and pick it up in plenty of time.”
Nisith Nathwani, Regional Development Manager for The Co-operative Pharmacy and General Council Member for Community Pharmacy Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to support NHS Scotland’s Be Ready for Winter campaign and our Co-operative Pharmacy branches up and down the country will be on hand to offer health advice and winter remedies to our local communities throughout the winter.
“Our pharmacists are trained to offer health and medication advice and should be the first port of call throughout the winter months.”
This year, GP surgeries throughout most of the country will be closed for four days at Christmas (25-28 December), before re-opening on Monday 29 December and again for four days at New Year (1-4 January), before re-opening again on Monday 5 January.
The national Be Health-Wise this Winter campaign is supported by NHSScotland in partnership with NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service and all 14 Scottish Health Boards.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
The Be Health-Wise This Winter roadshow will be at the Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre on Thursday 4 December between 10am and 4pm.
Check you have cold and flu remedies
Many children and adults pick up common winter ailments such as a cold or flu-like illness. These can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with remedies suitable for children.
Use your local pharmacy
Your local pharmacy is an accessible resource for you and your family. Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also collect medicine for minor ailments or illnesses.
Make sure you have repeat prescriptions. Only order what you need and pick it up in plenty of time.
If you, or someone you care for, require medicines regularly, check that you have enough and if you need more remember to order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period. Only order what you need.
Know when your GP surgery will be open
Your local doctor’s surgery will be open on Wednesday December 24th and will then reopen on Monday 29th December. This means there are four days when it is closed – Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th.
Doctors Surgeries will follow normal opening hours on Wednesday 31st December and will then reopen on Monday 5th January.