NHS campaign warns Be Ready for Easter

The message is that by knowing when your local surgery is open (as many will be closed from Friday to Monday), re-stocking the medicine cabinet and thinking ahead about repeat prescriptions, you can make the most of the holiday.

Professor George Crooks, NHS medical director, said: “It’s vital to plan ahead and ensure you and your family stay well.

“We are advising people to keep remedies for common ailments available, to make sure they have enough medication to see them through the holiday and to know when they can get an appointment with their GP.”

The Be Ready for Easter campaign recommends stocking up on remedies for common ailments, including pain relief, cough mixtures and cold and flu medicines.

Use your local pharmacy for over-the-counter help and first aid supplies, should you have a minor accident.

The campaign is backed by staff at the southside NHS 24 call centre, who will be working throughout the holiday to provide out-of-hours care.

Father and daughter Grant and Corinne Speirs will be on call, and Grant, from Pollok, commented: “It’s a busy time of year and we have to remember that we are here to provide a service for people who may not be having such a good Easter.”

Corinne added: “I would also ask people to check up on neighbours if they are elderly or unwell. Even just making sure they have some hot food will make all the difference to them.”

For more info, visit www.nhs24.com.