With a few simple steps you can look after yourself and your family this winter

• Check your repeat prescription, order only what you need, in plenty of time.
• If you become unwell see the symptom checkers and self-help guides on NHS Inform for advice.
• It takes around 10 days for vaccines to give you maximum protection so check who is eligible for winter vaccines and get details of local drop-in vaccination clinics on our Winter Vaccinations page to protect you and your family this winter.
• If you need health advice or treatment then find out how to get the right care in the right place, as quickly as possible. 

Home First brings together different types of support to allow you to recover at home. For minor illnesses like colds or aches, visit your local pharmacy first for free advice and medication under the Pharmacy First scheme.

Local Pharmacies

If you have a minor illness, such as a cold, an upset stomach or general aches and pains, your local pharmacy is the first place you should go for advice. Your local pharmacy can offer health consultations and provide free medication for many common conditions without the need for a GP prescription under the Pharmacy First scheme.

For more information visit the Your Local Pharmacy section of our Guide to Local Services.

Pharmacy opening times over the festive period

Help When You’re Unwell or Need Health Advice

For information on common symptoms and what to do about them visit the NHS Inform symptom checkers and self-help guides. These include advice on flu-like illnesses, coughs, fevers, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches and sore throats as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

If you are unsure which service is right for you, visit our Guide to Local Services  for details of local services or phone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Mon – Fri from 8.00am to 6.00pm)

Minor Injuries, Illnesses or Urgent Health Advice

• you think you need A&E but it’s not life or limb threatening
• you have a minor injury such as a cut that need stitches, a suspected broken bone, a sprains or minor burn
• you need support with mental health distress
• you need urgent care, and your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed

Dental Practices

If you’re experiencing dental problems such as tooth pain, swollen or bleeding gums, or an injury to your mouth, your local dental practice should be the first place you contact. If you’re not registered with a dentist, contact the Forth Valley Dental Helpline on 01324 614670 (Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.30pm), visit NHS inform or for dental emergencies call NHS 24 on 111.

For more information visit the Dental Service section of our Guide to Local Services.

Opticians

If you’re experiencing eye problems such as a red or sticky eye, blurred vision, or flashes and floaters, please contact your optometrist who will be able to assist you.

For more information visit the Eye Problems section of our Guide to Local Services or visit NHS Inform for advice on common eye problems.

Mental Health Advice & Support

For mental health information and support visit NHS Inform or see our Mental Health & Wellbeing section.

You can also call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (Monday – Thursday 6.00pm to 2.00am and weekends Friday 6.00pm to Monday 6.00am).

If you need urgent mental health support, you can visit NHS Inform , contact your GP Practice Team or call NHS 24 on 111.

GP Practice Teams

GP Practices are dealing with very high levels of demand and are working really hard to prioritise appointments for patients who need to be seen urgently. However, its important to remember that you can now see a wider range of healthcare professionals at your GP Practice including physiotherapists, mental health workers and Advanced Nurse Practitioners so you might not always need to see a GP.

Reception staff have been trained to ask questions when you call so they can direct you to the most appropriate member of the Practice Team – so please be kind when you call as they are working closely with GPs to help get you the advice and treatment you need as quickly as possible.

For more information visit the GP Practice Team section of our Guide to Local Services.

Emergency Department

Only go to A&E if you need urgent medical care for a critical emergency such as a suspected heart attack, stroke or excessive bleeding. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, you should call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, to access the right care.

Local Community and Financial Advice

Clackmannanshire Council has winter advice and, in the event of severe weather if you need to contact them about a problem, contact their Customer Services team on 01259 450000 or email customerservice@clacks.gov.uk Details of benefits and support with employment and training can also be found on their website.

Falkirk Council has winter advice and their emergency helpline can be contacted on 01324 506070. If your call is not an emergency you can email them via contact.centre@falkirk.gov.uk  They also provide a range of advice and support for residents, including help with energy costs, grants, and money advice services. You can contact their Debt Advice Team on 01324 506735 or email debtadvice@falkirk.gov.uk

Stirling Council has winter service advice, including grit bins and routes. You can contact the council via their website’s enquiry form or call them on 01786 404040. They also provide advice and support on welfare benefits, money and debt advice services.

Ready Scotland provides advice on preparing for severe weather including cold, snow and ice and storms and wind as well as rain and flooding. Their website also contains information and advice for individuals, groups and local businesses on how to prepare for emergencies and disruption.

Scottish Government – has information and advice on energy and household bills, benefits and income, urgent help with food or fuel as well as advice for older or disabled people and families. Some people may also be eligible for get  help with energy bills. This includes schemes like the Winter Heating Payment which is a single payment towards heating your home in winter.

Could you, or someone you know, be missing out on Pension Credit? Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges. Visit GOV.uk to find out if you qualify for extra help.

Weather and Travel Advice

Sign up to receive the latest weather warnings in your area directly from the Met Office. Or download their app for the latest information where you are. To help get the most out of their advice, you may wish to learn more about their warning system, e.g. what the colour of each type of warning means.

If you’re travelling by road, Traffic Scotland host an interactive map which provides information on all incidents, roadworks, travel warnings and more on Scotland’s major roads. You can also check live traffic cameras across the country to monitor road conditions before you set off.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) offers a live flood update service called Floodline. If you live in a flood-risk area or are concerned about flooding, you can sign up for free flood warnings by calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or by visiting their signup page.

Get the latest updates on your rail route with ScotRail’s live network map. Check the service on a single route, or see the whole network at a glance. Make sure you also sign up for JourneyCheck alerts on your regular journeys.

Think about how you’re going to get home when you’re out and about during the festive season, before you head out – and remember to consider any journeys the morning after. Even if you’re slightly over the limit, in the eyes of the law you are a criminal. There’s no grey area. Find out more at Road Safety Scotland.

Protect Your Home

If you are experiencing an unexpected loss of supply or emergency, you can check if it is on the Latest In Your Area map on the Scottish Water website. You can report any new problems, on their dedicated portal.

If you experience loss of power, call 105, which will connect you to the correct network operator for your region. You can also call 105 if you spot damage to electricity power lines and substations that could put you, or someone else, in danger. If there’s a serious immediate risk, you should call the emergency services too.

Police Scotland have a lot of good festive safety information on their website. Remember, the 101 number is to be used for non-emergencies when contacting the police and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, dial 999.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service have some good advice on Winter safety at home including checking your smoke and heat alarms are working, replacing batteries if necessary.

Home Energy Scotland is an advice service funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust. People in Scotland can get advice about creating a warmer, more energy efficient home and reducing energy bills, as well as financial support, including grants and 0% loans.