4 December 2014
People in the Scottish Borders are being encouraged to ‘Be Health-Wise’ This Winter by checking they have cold and flu remedies, making sure they have enough repeat prescriptions and knowing the opening times of their local pharmacy and GP Practice.
The national ‘Dr Owl says Be Health Wise this Winter’ campaign, will run throughout December to remind people of the services available to them over the festive period and to urge them to take responsibility for their own health and be wise when it comes to winter health matters.
This year, GP Practices in the Borders will be closed for four days at Christmas (25-28 December), and again for four days at New Year (1-4 January). However GP Practices and Pharmacies will be open for business as usual on Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and Wednesday 31 December.
NHS Borders Medical Director, Dr Sheena MacDonald said: "Preparing ahead and knowing how to treat common winter ailments at home can not only help ensure that people in the Scottish Borders make the most of the festive period, but it also means local health services can provide help where it is most needed. As winter approaches, it is important for everyone, parents and elderly people especially, to take a few simple steps. Using your local pharmacy for advice on medicines, both prescription and over-the-counter, is one. Finding out when your local GP practice is open and arranging with them that you have enough repeat medicines before they close for the festive period is another way of making sure you are not caught out this winter."
"By finding out which services are open and stocking up on winter remedies, we can prevent winter illnesses from spoiling the holiday period. It will also ensure that emergency lifesaving services, like the Emergency Department at the BGH, are kept free for those who really need them."
The national ‘Be Health-Wise this Winter’ campaign is supported by NHSScotland in partnership with NHS 24, the Scottish Ambulance Service, all 14 Scottish Health Boards and the British Medical Association in Scotland.
Dr Alan McDevitt, Chairman of the BMA’s Scottish General Practitioners Committee said: “Winter is the time of year when a lot of people will develop a cold or flu and the best way to manage these ailments is to ensure that you stock up on the remedies that are available in pharmacies and supermarkets. For those who are eligible, it’s important to get the annual flu vaccination from your GP surgery.
“While it’s important to be prepared, patients should be reassured that over the holiday season GPs will still be working, even when the surgery is closed, and they will be able to see a GP if they need to by calling NHS 24. Anyone experiencing health problems when their surgery is closed should contact NHS 24 for advice by dialing 111.”
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk/winter or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88. Local pharmacy festive opening times can be found at www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/know-who-to-turn-to/winter/.