A range of health services and support will be available during the Easter break to ensure that people across Forth Valley can access treatment and advice.

This year the majority of GP surgeries across Forth Valley will close for four days from Good Friday (April 3^rd 2015) to Easter Monday (April 6^th 2015), before re-opening on Tuesday 7^th April 2015.

If you need to see a GP when your local surgery is closed you should contact NHS 24 on 111 who can arrange for you to be seen at a GP out-of-hours centre in Forth Valley, if necessary.

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Community Hospital will be open every day throughout the Easter holiday period from 9am – 9pm and no appointment is necessary. The MIU is able to treat adults and children over the age of one from across Forth Valley for a wide range of minor injuries including suspected broken bones, sprains and strains, cuts and scratches, minor burns and infected wounds.

The majority of pharmacies across Forth Valley will be open as normal on Friday 3^rd April and Saturday 4^th April 2015. A rota-system will operate on Monday 6^th April 2015 to ensure local people can access over the counter medicines, prescriptions and speak to a pharmacist. Details of the opening times for Easter Monday can be found on the Easter zone of the NHS Forth Valley website www.nhsforthvalley.com/easter

NHS Forth Valley’s Medical Director Miss Tracey Gillies explained:  “You can help keep you and your family healthy over the Easter break by planning ahead. This includes knowing when your GP surgery and local pharmacy will be open and making sure you have enough prescribed medication to last over the holiday period.

“You can help avoid putting extra strain on busy hospital services by making use of the Minor Injuries Unit at Stirling Community Hospital, seeking advice from a local pharmacist or calling the NHS 24 helpline on 111 if your condition is not urgent.”

General health information and advice can be found on NHS Inform NHS Inform or by phoning 0800 22 44 88. Local health service information, including pharmacy opening times across Forth Valley, can be found at www.nhsforthvalley.com/easter