Tag: NHS 24

Be ready for Easter, says NHS 24

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STAFF at Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare services are reminding people to help themselves look after their health this Easter.

The dedicated staff at NHS 24’s contact centre in South Queensferry – like many other people within the health and emergency services throughout Scotland – will be working for the national telehealth service over Easter to ensure that out-of-hours care is available to those who need it when their doctors’ surgeries are closed.

The comprehensive health advice line – which includes nurse advisors, dental health, pharmacy and mental health advisors among its specialist staff –is preparing to receive thousands of calls from patients across Scotland this Easter.

Julie Hunter will be one of the nurses working at NHS 24’s South Queensferry contact centre over the Easter holiday weekend. The mother-of-two from Grangemouth combines her job at NHS 24 with bank shifts on a Cardiology ward at the Forth Valley Royal Hospital. She said: “As a nurse, I always make sure I have over-the-counter medicines at home to treat the children when they are unwell. In fact, I am always the one my neighbours call on because I am a nurse and because they know my medicine cabinet has been re-stocked for the Easter period.”

NHS 24 is working closely with all Scottish Health Boards as part of a national NHS Scotland campaign encouraging Scots, particularly parents and older people, to be prepared for Easter and advises how they can look after themselves if they catch a cough or cold.

Professor George Crooks, Medical Director at NHS 24, adds: “Easter is one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS in Scotland and we expect to be busy taking calls from patients in need at our centre in South Queensferry during the holiday break,” he said.

“For many of our callers over Easter, we will be offering self-care advice – so making sure you are prepared in advance should help many people enjoy the break.

“By taking just a few minutes to ensure that you have enough regular or repeat medication to see you through, it may prevent you and your family from becoming ill and ruining your holiday.

“We would also remind people that they have a huge range of health information available at their fingertips at www.nhsinform.co.uk “

Repeat prescriptions? Plan ahead!

Scots urged to plan ahead for repeat prescriptions at Christmas time

With Christmas only a matter of weeks away, people in Lothian are being urged to plan ahead for repeat prescriptions as part of a major health campaign.

The NHS Scotland Be Ready for Winter campaign is reminding people to make sure they check any repeat prescriptions they need for themselves and those they look after ahead of time this festive period.

As well as making sure their medicine cabinets are re-stocked with commonly used remedies for minor illnesses, people are being urged to organise any required repeat prescription as soon as possible.

Dr John McAnaw, Head of Pharmacy at NHS 24, said it is important for people taking regular medication to make sure they have enough supplies to last them through to the New Year. He said: “At this time of year, with only a couple of weeks left until Christmas, people will be focused on getting organised to make sure they can make the most of the holiday period. It is important not to forget about putting winter health necessities on your ‘to do’ list.

“It also only takes a few minutes to collect some over-the-counter remedies for winter ailments. If you take regular medications, please ensure you check you have enough left to cover the holiday period. It’s also important not to over order, so only request what you need, and make sure you don’t run out of anything during that time.”

This year, GP surgeries will be closed for two days: Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th December. 

The Co-operative Pharmacy is supporting the campaign. 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.”

It is important to get prescriptions ordered and collected as early as possible, with the last day for re-ordering any repeat prescription being Thursday 19th December to be sure of getting it before Christmas. 

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found atwww.nhsinform.co.uk/winter

or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

The four key steps that Be Ready for Winter is recommending everyone take in preparation for their health this winter are:

Restock your winter medicine cabinet

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.

If you or someone you care for needs to re-order a medicine they regularly take, make sure you order and collect the repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period. Remember, only order what you need.

Know when your GP surgery will be open

Your local doctor’s surgery will be open on Tuesday 24th December then closed on Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th December.

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Check your GP opening times

With Christmas upon us, NHS Scotland is now reminding the public of the GP surgery closures over New Year:

While GP practices re-open on Thursday after the Christmas break, the NHS Scotland Be Ready for Winter campaign advises people to be aware that many GP surgeries and pharmacies will be closed for two days again at the New Year (Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd January) .

NHS 24’s Medical Director Professor George Crooks, explained: “While NHS Scotland staff have been very busy over the Christmas period, it is important that people remember there is another period of GP practices’ closures over Hogmanay. It’s important that people know the opening times of their local pharmacy too and make use of the next couple of days to re-stock with simple home remedies to ensure they can look after themselves and their family if needed.

“Knowing you have remedies at home to help if a winter illness does strike can make all the difference and if your symptoms worsen while your GP surgery is closed, you should contact NHS 24”

Many GPs will be working hard throughout the festive period supporting local Out of Hours services and Be Ready for Winter has the backing of the British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scotland. Dr John Gillies, Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland, said: “Cold and flu bugs are most prevalent between January and March. Be prepared by stocking your medicine cabinet with suitable over the counter remedies. If you are in a vulnerable group make sure you have requested a flu vaccine from your practice. Remember that your local general practice will not be closed for very long, but if you do need out of hours advice you can look at NHS inform online or contact NHS 24.”

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. Winter health advice is also available through the NHSScotland digital TV channel, or follow NHS 24 on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and tips.

The four key steps that Be Ready for Winter is recommending everyone take in preparation for their health this winter are:

Restock your winter medicine cabinet

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.

If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period.

Know when your GP surgery will be open

Your local doctor’s surgery will be open on Monday 31st December and closed for two days on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd January 2013.

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