With GP practices being closed on Friday 20 and Monday 23 September 2024, North 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 both Saturday and Sunday) 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. Having 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 seven 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;
- collection and delivery of prescriptions;
- supervised methadone supply; and
- needle exchange.
Over the September bank holiday weekend, when GP practices are closed, you can still get advice from a community pharmacist or NHS 24.
Friday 20 September 2024
All pharmacies will be open, except;
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 41 Glasgow Street, Ardrossan
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 6 Central Avenue, Ardrossan
- Davidson’s Chemist, 18 Main Street, Dalry
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 1 New Street, Dalry
- Townhead Pharmacy, Station Plaza, Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 19 Dockhead Street, Saltcoats
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 41 Hamilton Street, Saltcoats
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 17/19 Raise Street, Saltcoats
- Care Pharmacy, 55 Main Street, Springside
- Gallagher’s Pharmacy, 33 New Street, Stevenston
Saturday 21 September 2024
All pharmacies will be open as normal except:
- Townhead Pharmacy, Station Plaza, Pennyburn Road, Kilwinning
Sunday 22 September 2024
All pharmacies will be closed except:
- Boots Pharmacy, 1 Fullarton Square, Irvine from 11am – 5pm
- Superdrug Pharmacy, 6B Aitken Street, Largs from 11am – 5pm
Monday 23 September 2024
All Pharmacies will be closed except;
- Arran Pharmacy, The Old Pier, Brodick, Isle of Arran from 9am – 1pm
- Well Pharmacy, 18/20 Main Street, Beith from 9am – 6pm
- Boots Pharmacy, 1 Fullarton Square, Irvine from 11am – 5pm
- Superdrug Pharmacy, 6B Aitken Street, Largs fom 11am – 5pm
- Halliday Pharmacy, 5 Aitken Street, Largs from 8.30am – 4pm
- Cumbrae Pharmacy, 30 Stuart Street, Millport from 9am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 5.30pm
Background
- Getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself against viruses circulating this winter. More information visit https://www.nhsaaa.net/services/services-a-z/vaccines/ to find out about the vaccine you may be eligible for, and how you’ll be offered them.
- 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).