With GP practices being closed on Friday 22 September and Monday 25 September 2023, East Ayrshire residents are being urged to check who to turn to if they need advice or support to cope with any common health concerns.
Some community pharmacists will remain open during this period (normal service will continue on Thursday 21, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September) and can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments. NHS 24 also has a number of pharmacists who are able to answer medicine and pharmacy-related questions over the telephone on 111. In addition, NHS inform has valuable advice on how to prepare visit – http://www.nhsinform.scot
Roisin Kavanagh, Director of Pharmacy, explains: “You can do a number of things to make sure you are prepared to deal with common illnesses over the bank holiday weekend. Have a sufficient supply of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat and cough remedies will help to relieve the symptoms of common ailments.
“If you take regular medication, you should check your existing supplies and only order what you need to see you through over the holiday weekend. It is also a good idea to make sure you know when your local GP practice and community pharmacy are closed. Please also take into consideration the time required by your local GP Practice and community pharmacy for processing prescription requests as this can add up to several days.”
Your community pharmacist can:
- prescribe medication for you following a consultation, under the Pharmacy First service
- treat many women from age 16 for urinary tract infections under the Pharmacy First service*
- treat many patients for impetigo under the Pharmacy First service*
- treat patients over 18 for skin infections including infected insect bites under the Pharmacy First service*
- treat patients over 18 for shingles under the Pharmacy First service*
- provide your repeat prescriptions when your GP is not available (under certain circumstances)
- give women advice and supply emergency hormonal contraception;
- dispense prescriptions
- give advice, support and where appropriate, prescribe nicotine replacement therapy to those giving up smoking
- hold records of your medicines to ensure that the safety of any future medication is checked
- provide a private area to discuss sensitive issues
- give you advice over the telephone; and
- give you advice on the best way to take your medicines
(*where they meet certain criteria)
Many pharmacies also offer:
- advice on travel health;
- pregnancy testing;
- collection and delivery of prescriptions;
- supervised methadone supply; and
- needle exchange.
Please do not visit your community pharmacy if you have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Over the September weekend, when GP practices are closed, you can still get advice from a community pharmacist or NHS 24.
Friday 22 September 2023
Most pharmacies will be open as normal, except:
- Davidsons Chemist, 4/8 Irvine Road, Crosshouse
- Doon Valley Pharmacy, 5 Cathcartston, Dalmellington
- Dalrymple Pharmacy, 6 Main Street, Dalrymple
- Drongan Pharmacy, 64 Mill ‘O’ Shield Road, Drongan
- Fenwick Pharmacy, 77 Main Road, Fenwick
Saturday 23 September 2023
All pharmacies will be open as normal except
- Rowlands Pharmacy, 2 Tanyard, Cumnock
Sunday 24 September 2023
All pharmacies will be closed, except:
- Boots Pharmacy, 62/70 King Street, Kilmarnock open 12noon – 4pm
- Morrisons Pharmacy, West Langlands Street, Kilmarnock open 10am – 5pm
Monday 25 September 2023
All pharmacies will be closed, except:
- Boots Pharmacy, 62/70 King Street, Kilmarnock open 12noon – 4pm
- Morrisons Pharmacy, West Langlands Street, Kilmarnock open 10am – 5pm
- Well Pharmacy, 1/5 Loudon Street, Mauchline open 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 6pm
- Right Medicine Pharmacy, 90 Main Street, Ochiltree open 9am – 1pm and 2pm – 5pm
Background
- Getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against viruses circulating this winter. More information is available on Winter vaccines | NHS inform including a self-help guide that helps citizens to find out about the vaccine you may be eligible for, and how you’ll be offered them.
- For more information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19
- For any other health-related concerns, NHS Inform should be the first point of contact, or call your GP during opening hours. If your GP practice is closed and your query can’t wait you can still call NHS 24 (on 111).