Stay well this Easter with NHS tips: keep basic medicines at home, order prescriptions early, ask pharmacies for help, and use 111 for advice.
The local NHS is sharing some simple health tips to help everyone stay well over the Easter weekend.
Easter is coming soon, and many people will be relaxing or seeing family and friends. No one wants to feel ill with hay fever, a cold, or other problems. To help you enjoy the holiday, the NHS has some easy advice for looking after your health.
Your local pharmacist can tell you which medicines are useful to keep at home. If you have some basic medicines ready, you can deal with small illnesses or injuries over the long weekend. Helpful items include:
- painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen
- medicine for diarrhoea
- oral rehydration salts
- indigestion medicine
- antihistamines
- plasters and bandages
- a thermometer
Pharmacies can now help with some health problems without you needing a GP appointment. They may be able to give you advice and medicine for:
- earache (ages 1–17)
- impetigo (ages 1+)
- infected insect bites (ages 1+)
- shingles (ages 18+)
- sinusitis (ages 12+)
- sore throat (ages 5+)
- urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women aged 16–64
Remember to order your repeat prescriptions early. GP practices will be closed over the bank holidays, and pharmacies may have shorter hours. It is best to order your medicine at least seven days before you run out.
If you are going away, make sure you pack your medicines. Take a little extra in case your trip home is delayed.
If you feel unwell, you can use the 111 online symptom checker for quick advice. You can also call 111 at any time if you need more urgent help.
For serious or life-threatening emergencies, emergency services are open 24 hours a day.
For a mental health crisis, adults can call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Young people under 18 can call 0800 995 1000.
For more information visit: https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/support/bank-holiday-services/