Two extra items to pack for your summer holiday

Holiday fun in the sun

Holidaymakers are being asked to make sure they add some extra items to their “to do” lists as they prepare for their summer breaks.

The first is to make sure that they talk to their high-street pharmacy staff if they are on any medication, to see if they will need a repeat prescription to take with them.

The second is to take a basic First Aid kit with them, to deal with any minor illnesses or injuries whilst they are on holiday.

Dr Lynn Hampson, local GP and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group Clinical Lead for Self Care said: “Adding these two items to your holiday to do list will help to avoid any unnecessary visits to see a GP or waits in A&E.

"In the excitement and rush to make sure you pack everything - including suncream, sunhat and sunglasses - it is easy to forget that about medication you may need for long term health conditions.

"If you talk to your local pharmacy staff they can help to make sure you avoid any last minute panics.

“And a basic first aid kit will help complaints such upset stomachs, allergies, headaches, sunburn, insect bites, aches, sprains and strains. You can find a really useful interactive First Aid Kit guide on the NHS Choices web pages, or talk to pharmacy staff about what you might need in your kit.”

Pharmacy staff are working with the local NHS to help people to use the right health service first time, as part of the Choose Well campaign. Health leaders believe more than 51 million people a year who visit their GP with common complaints could either care for themselves or visiting their local high-street pharmacy for help.