NHS advice to help you prepare for the August Bank Holiday Monday
Many NHS services will be available to you over the weekend ahead of the August Bank Holiday and on Bank Holiday Monday itself. If you are unwell or injured, your local NHS is encouraging you to choose the right service for your need and get the best treatment as quickly as possible.
If you are unsure of where to go or what to do, you can contact NHS 111 by phone, or online at 111.nhs.uk. Trained staff can assess your need, provide advice and guidance, or direct you to the most appropriate health service, whether that's an emergency dentist, a pharmacist or the local Minor Injuries Unit.
If you take regular medications, do not leave it too late to order and collect your prescription. Did you know they can also be ordered via the NHS App?
It is also worth checking your general medicine cabinet ahead of the weekend to ensure you have all the essentials such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies, hay fever medicines, bite and sting treatments and plasters and bandages. You never know, you may even need some sun cream!
If you start to feel unwell in the lead up to the weekend, community pharmacists and their teams are qualified healthcare professionals who can help before things get worse and provide over-the-counter medicines for minor illnesses. If symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they can direct you to the help you need.
Yousaf Ahmad, Frimley ICS Chief Pharmacist and Director of Medicines Optimisation, said: “Although some pharmacies may be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, those that are open are a great place to get clinical advice and treatment for a range of minor illnesses, such as hay fever, sore throats, tummy trouble and even insect bites.”
Please check pharmacy opening times before travelling on Bank Holiday Monday.
If your child is unwell, and you’re not sure where the best place to go for advice is, visit the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website or download the app. Designed by local experts, it provides support to parents and carers to help them manage a range of common childhood illnesses.