31 March 2015
Dr Owl, the memorable and wise character from a national health campaign has once again take to the skies urging people in the Scottish Borders to take a few simple steps to look after their health this Easter.
The ‘Be Health Wise this Easter’ campaign, run by NHS 24 on behalf of NHS Scotland, is reminding people that by making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.
This year, with the exception of Roxburgh Street Surgery in Galashiels, GP surgeries across the Scottish Borders will only be closed for three days over the Easter weekend (4th & 5th April) including Easter Monday (April 6th), before re-opening on Tuesday 7th April.
Roxburgh Street Surgery will be open as normal on Monday 6 April 2015.
GP surgeries will be open as normal on Good Friday (3 April). Please check with your own GP surgery for its Easter opening times.
After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland's health services. Jonathan Kirk, NHS Borders Associate Medical Director and Chair of Primary and Community Services said: “With the school and public holidays during April, it’s important to be prepared to look after your health. This includes knowing when your GP surgery is open, planning ahead if you need repeat prescriptions and making sure your medicine cabinet is stocked with common remedies.
“As well as stocking the remedies you might need for coughs, colds, allergies or minor injuries, local pharmacies can also provide useful advice on how to stay healthy this spring.”
Some community pharmacies will be open for a limited time over the Easter Weekend, including most on Friday 3 April. Please check with your local pharmacy to see when it will be open.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
The four key steps that Be Health-Wise This Easter recommends this Spring are:
- Check you have cold and flu remedies
Common ailments such as colds can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine such as pain relief, cough mixture and cold remedies. Parents are reminded to restock their medicine cabinet with child-friendly remedies.
- Use your local pharmacy
Your pharmacist can offer advice or help if you need over-the-counter remedies or have run out of any prescribed medication. You can also pick up plasters and antiseptic creams to prepare for any minor accidents.
- Make sure you have enough repeat prescription.
If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you have enough medicine to last over the holiday period. Only order what you need.
- Know when your GP surgery will be open
This year, some GP surgeries across the Scottish Borders will close for three days over the Easter weekend, including Easter Monday (April 6th), before re-opening on Tuesday 7th April. Please check with your own GP surgery for their Easter opening times.
Please see below the Local Pharmacy opening times for Friday 3 & Monday 6 April.
| Pharmacy | Friday 3 April | Monday 6 April |
|---|---|---|
| Boots, Berwick Upon Tweed | Open as normal | 10:00 - 17:00 |
| Grays Pharmacy, Chirnside | Open as normal | Closed |
| Coldstream Pharmacy | Open as normal | Closed |
| G L M Romanes Ltd, Duns | Open as normal | 09:00 - 12:00 |
| R G Turnbull, Earlston | Open as normal | Closed |
| G L M Romanes Ltd, Eyemouth | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Galashiels | Open as normal | 08:30 - 20:00 |
| M Farren Ltd, Galashiels | Open as normal | 09:00 - 17:30 |
| Lloyds Pharmacy, Galashiels | Open as normal | Closed |
| Tesco Pharmacy, Galashiels | Open as normal | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| G L M Romanes Ltd, Greenlaw | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Hawick | Open as normal | 10:00 - 16:00 |
| T N Crosby, Hawick | Open as normal | Closed |
| H H C C Pharmacy, Hawick | Open as normal | Closed |
| Lindsay & Gilmour, Hawick | Open as normal | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| D & E Ogilvie, Innerleithen | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Jedburgh | Open as normal | Closed |
| Jedburgh Pharmacy | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Kelso | Open as normal | 08:30 - 16:00 |
| Lloyds, Kelso | Open as normal | Closed |
| Lauder Pharmacy | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Melrose | Open as normal | 08:30 - 16:00 |
| Eildon Pharmacy, Newtown St Boswells | Open as normal | Closed |
| Newcastleton Pharmacy | Open as normal | Closed |
| Boots, Peebles | Open as normal | 09:00 - 18:00 |
| Lloyds, Peebles | Open as normal | Closed |
| Lindsay & Gilmour, Selkirk | Open as normal | 09:00 - 13:00 & 14:00 - 17:00 |
| A A Weir, Selkirk | Open as normal | Closed |
| West Linton Pharmacy | Closed | Closed |