NHS urge preparations for Bank Holiday weekend
By Priya Mistry
NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW have urged residents to prepare themselves for the upcoming Bank Holiday Weekend;, which will take place from August 29 to 31 and will likely see an increase in demands for healthcare services as people enjoy the last long weekend until the winter period.
Residents are being reminded that help is available for common illnesses and minor injuries, as well as emergency treatment if it is required at any point. But they are asked to ensure that repeat prescriptions are ordered ahead of time and they have enough regular medication to last through the Bank Holiday weekend, as well as checking opening hours for services.
Community pharmacies will be open across the region and a full list of openings over the Bank Holiday can be seen online, but people are still advised to check before setting off. Through Pharmacy First, community pharmacies can provide advice, treatment and, where appropriate, prescription medication for several common conditions. These include shingles, sore throats, earaches, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Local GP and Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire & IoW, Dr Charlotte Hutchings, said: “The August bank holiday is a great opportunity to make the most of the last long weekend of summer, but an unexpected illness or injury can quickly put plans on hold. For many common conditions, your local pharmacy can be the quickest and simplest place to start. Pharmacists have the expertise to assess your symptoms, offer treatment and, through Pharmacy First, prescribe medication for a number of conditions where appropriate.”
She added: “It’s also worth taking a few minutes before the bank holiday to check that you have enough of your regular medication and to find out when your local pharmacy is open. If you’re unsure about the best place to get help, NHS 111 can assess your symptoms and direct you to the most appropriate service. Using the right service helps people get the care they need as quickly as possible and allows emergency services to focus on those who are seriously unwell.”
Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) will also be available across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. UTCs can provide an alternative to Emergency Departments for conditions that need prompt attention but are not life-threatening. Services are available in, Gosport, Lymington, Petersfield, Portsmouth, Southampton and on the Isle of Wight. Meanwhile those living in or close to Andover can visit its walk-in centre.
Mental health support is available throughout the bank holiday too. People can call 111 and select the mental health option to speak to a trained mental health professional. Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in Hampshire or the Isle of Wight can also text ‘HANTS’ to 85258 for free confidential support from trained Shout volunteers twenty-four hours a day.
Anyone who is unsure about where to go for medical advice can use NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk; which is a service that is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week (24/7). Parents and carers can also use the Healthier Together app for trusted advice on common childhood illnesses and symptoms, but everybody can also call 111 if they cannot get online for any reason. In a life-threatening emergency, residents should always call 999 or attend the nearest Emergency Department.
PICTURED BY NHS HAMPSHIRE & IOW: Residents have been urged to prepare themselves for the upcoming Bank Holiday Weekend by ensuring that repeat prescriptions are ordered ahead of time and they have enough regular medication to last, as well as checking opening hours for services.
