Plan ahead for the Bank Holidays and stay well

With the long Easter weekend and Early May Bank Holiday fast approaching, health professionals from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group are reminding residents to plan ahead to stay well.

If you take regular medication and need a repeat prescription, make sure you get it in time, so you have enough for the long weekends.

If you become unwell, pharmacists can offer advice on common ailments such as coughs, colds, aches and pains and skin rashes. You can check local pharmacy opening hours here. You can also call NHS 111 for advice or visit 111.nhs.uk 

Most common ailments can be treated at home by keeping a well-stocked supply of medicines, examples of what to keep are paracetamol and aspirin, and equivalent syrups for children, antihistamines, a thermometer to check for a temperature and travel sickness tablets.

Although there is no longer a legal requirement for people with Covid-19 to self-isolate, if you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five days and then continue to follow the guidance until you've received two negative test results on consecutive days. You can find out more by reading government guidance.

There are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19:

• Get vaccinated – you can find out more about vaccines here: www.rochdale.gov.uk/covidvaccine
• Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
• Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces

 

Pharmacies: offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses. The full list of pharmacies in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale that will be open over the Easter and Early May Bank Holiday weekend is available here. Patients are advised to telephone their usual pharmacy before travelling as opening hours may vary during the holiday period.

NHS 111: visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 if you have an urgent medical problem. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

NHS.uk: is your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.

GP Practices: Evening and weekend appointments are available via the seven-day access service by calling the central booking line on 0161 763 8292.

Dr Chris Duffy, local GP and Chair of NHS HMR CCG said: “Anyone falling ill during the Easter break or Early May Bank Holiday should consider visiting their local pharmacist, as they will give expert advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them.

“If you use repeat prescriptions, it’s important that you remember to visit your local pharmacy to make sure you have enough medication to last you over the bank holidays.

“Having a well-stocked supply of medicines can come in handy if you become ill unexpectedly and your pharmacist will be able to help you if you don’t know what to buy.

“By choosing the right service, patients will get the best treatment in the shortest possible time – whilst keeping emergency health services available for emergencies and life-threatening conditions.”