Prepare for the holidays and know where to get the Right Care in the Right Place
Written by Malcolm Finlayson on 16/12/2022
With GP surgeries closed for four days at Christmas and four days at New Year, NHS Tayside is sharing advice on how to prepare for the festive holidays.
GPs will be closed from 23-27 December and from 31 December to 3 January so it’s important to be prepared and make sure you know what to do if you have a health issue during these times.
If you take regular medication please check that you have enough to last over the holidays and, if you need more, make sure you order it in plenty of time and allow seven days between ordering and collecting your prescription from the pharmacy. If you need emergency medication please contact your regular pharmacy. The out-of-hours service is for urgent medical problems only and providing repeat medication may delay treatment for others.
Make sure you have common medicines such as paracetamol (including liquid paracetamol for children), ibuprofen, cold and flu remedies, anti-histamines and medicine for stomach bugs, as well as first aid kit supplies like plasters, bandages and antiseptic wipes/creams. Always follow the instructions on the pack and only buy what you need to save medicines going out-of-date and being wasted.
If you have a non-urgent health issue over the festive holidays, please wait until your GP surgery reopens, contact a local community pharmacy or visit www.nhsinform.scot for answers to common health questions and symptom checkers. You can also visit NHS Tayside’s website www.keepwellinwinter.scot.nhs.uk for information and advice on looking after you and your family’s health.
If you think you need A&E, but it’s not life-threatening, call NHS 24 on 111 day or night. If it’s an emergency, you should call 999 or go to the Emergency Department (ED). Do not attend ED with a problem that you would normally see your GP with. This will allow ED to concentrate on emergencies.
