NHS 24 is here for you if you need help over the #bankholidayweekend. 
There’s lots of helpful links in our comments to help you get the right care in the right place. including:
When to call 111
symptom checkers – online health advice on common illnesses
Mental health support
Scotland’s Service Directory – Details of health and wellbeing services in Scotland.
Pharmacy First Scotland and accessing medicines
Spring health tips
Dementia Action Week (18–24 May) is a time to focus on understanding dementia and supporting the people affected by it across Scotland.
Around 90,000 people in Scotland are currently living with dementia, and that number is expected to grow in the years ahead. However, many people continue to live well with the right information, support and environment around them.
This week is about taking practical action. Small, everyday changes can make a positive difference – from learning more about dementia, to showing patience and understanding, and helping to create communities where people feel supported and included.
Across Scotland, organisations are working together to strengthen support. NHS 24 works in partnership with Dementia Friendly Communities and local groups, such as the Dementia Heroes, offering welcoming, accessible spaces for people living with dementia and their carers to connect and access support.
If you’d like to learn more about dementia, support someone, or find practical advice on living well, visit NHS inform for trusted information on:
– types of dementia
– daily living
– caring for someone
– and ways to live well with the condition
Identifying a Stroke Using the FAST Method
Strokes are serious and time-sensitive medical emergencies that require immediate attention. Knowing how to quickly recognise the signs can be crucial in saving a life.
That’s where the FAST method comes in – an easy-to-remember acronym to help you spot the signs of a stroke.
Strokes can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender.
Remember, every minute counts when it comes to strokes.
Stay informed, share this knowledge and help spread awareness
Important info below, please share 
You can save yourself time on the way to feeling better by using NHS inform to get the right care in the right place.
Depending on your situation, you might not have to phone 111.
Quick links:
symptom checkers: https://nhs24.info/symptom-checkers
accessing medicines: https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines
Scotland’s Service Directory: https://nhs24.info/servicedirectory
urgent mental health help: https://nhs24.info/urgent-mental-health
Thank you
One small thing to do before Easter 
If you take regular medication, now’s a good time to check how much you have left.
GP practices and pharmacies may have changed opening hours over the Easter weekend, so ordering what you need in plenty of time can help avoid a last‑minute rush.
New studies have revealed that Brits are getting just six hours and 27 minutes of shut–eye per night on average, with sleep remaining a clear issue for many in the UK.
Now, new research from Hillarys reveals Britain is spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to function while tired, as millions of workers pay daily to push through poor sleep. With 64% spending money each week to cope, and the average employee shelling out £6.23 a day (£2,274 a year), experts warn the nation’s chronic “sleep deficit” is now hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.
As Sleep Awareness Month takes place in March, the survey highlights a growing reliance on caffeine, convenience food and other quick fixes – masking fatigue rather than fixing it, and with the clocks about to go forward one hour on March 29th, many could struggle with lack of sleep.
Key findings
New research from Hillarys shows that Britain’s chronic sleep deficit is creating a major consumer burden, with the workforce spending an estimated £48 billion a year just to cope with tiredness. The survey of 2,001 UK employees found that nearly two-thirds of workers spend money each week on coffee, snacks, alcohol, supplements, or convenience food to function after insufficient sleep.
The average daily spend of £6.23 translates into £2,274 per worker annually. When compared with typical disposable income, the impact is striking: research from YBS* shows UK renters have just £440 per month left after bills and essentials, while homeowners have £872 per month.
Put another way, the typical worker’s annual spend on coping with tiredness represents around 43% of a renter’s disposable income and 22% of a homeowner’s, highlighting how chronic fatigue is hitting wallets as hard as wellbeing.
Who is paying the most?
Midlife adults aged 35-44 bear the highest cost of poor sleep, averaging £7.13 per day (~£2,603 per year) on coping mechanisms such as caffeine, snacks and convenience food. Younger workers aged 18-24 spend £6.35 per day (~£2,317 per year), while those aged 25-34 average £6.23 per day (~£2,274 per year). Workers aged 55 and over spend the least at £4.47 per day (~£1,631 per year).
High-pressure sectors such as finance and IT report even greater expenditure, with some workers spending up to £3,100 per year just to stay alert during the working day.
Britain’s top coping behaviours
Sleep deprivation is no longer just a health issue – it has become a consumer economy. Workers routinely spend money on short-term stimulants rather than addressing the root cause, creating a cycle of fatigue and expenditure that compounds across generations and sectors. Younger workers rely heavily on caffeine to get through the day, while older workers invest more in supplements or aids.
Tom Coleman, sleep expert at Hillarys, comments: “Paying to stay awake is only masking a much bigger problem.
“Chronic sleep deficit changes how our bodies regulate energy, stress and focus, and over time it can make fatigue feel normal – which is why midlife workers are spending thousands just to keep going.
“Fatigue also impairs decision-making, so people are more likely to reach for quick fixes like coffee, snacks, energy drinks or takeaways, even when they’re costly or not the healthiest choice.
“The solution isn’t more stimulants – it’s reshaping daily habits to reduce sleep debt: scheduling regular bedtimes, building natural tiredness through daytime activity, and managing stress early in the day rather than in the evening.
“Organisations can help by recognising the hidden costs of fatigue and supporting healthier work-life patterns. Addressing sleep now is an investment that pays back in alertness, better decisions, and real money saved on coping mechanisms.”
Source:
*https://www.ybs.co.uk/w/renters-have-half-the-disposable-income-of-homeowners
Please find the full survey responses here.
Don’t suffer in silence with dental pain. 
NHS inform has advice on when and where to seek further help during a dental emergency.
Visit NHS inform and search ‘dental emergencies’ for more advice and dental clinics near you.
Wondering when to call 111? Here’s what you need to know:
For minor illnesses like colds or sore throats, your local pharmacy is the best place for advice and treatment. Call 111 when you need urgent health advice but it’s not an emergency.
Know your options and get the right care, at the right time.
Do you have a sensory or speech impairment? Please share your views and experiences of accessing NHS 24 services to help improve them.
The consultation closes on Friday 30 January 2026.
Take part in the survey: https://tinyurl.com/yfs9n39d
Easy Read version: https://tinyurl.com/au4vdp2z
We are proud that our team has produced this Easy Read version, helping more people have their voices heard. 
The 111 service is expected to be VERY busy which may mean a prolonged wait for calls to be answered. Boxing Day is one of the busiest day of the year for our services. Here’s what you can do to help yourself, save time and help us care for those in the most need first.
NHS inform has a range of symptom checkers for common illnesses and conditions you can use to help you decide what to do next: https://nhs24.info/symptom-checkers
Check out the winter illness hub on NHS inform if you need help with colds, flu, coughs, sickness bugs, etc: https://nhs24.info/winter-illness
If your call is related to medicines please visit https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines
Whether it is prescribed or non-prescribed medication, our guide to accessing medication can save you time. You might not need to call 111.
By using NHS resources wisely, we can keep well and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.
Find out more about how to access the #RightCareRightPlace: https://nhs24.info/RightCareRightPlace
If you are using a mobile phone to call please switch to WiFi calling and ensure your device is charged. This will help to prevent your call being disconnected. Some mobile providers disconnect calls due to network capacity demand. NHS 24 does not cut calls.
NHS 24’s staff are working exceptionally hard to answer as many calls as we can, quickly and safely. Please be patient and we will answer.
If you can try the above options first, it could save you time. We want to help you get the right care, in the right place.
