NHS Forth Valley is preparing for a very challenging Easter period as it continues to face high levels of demand across hospital, social care, primary care and community health services.

Local people are being asked to help by ensuring they get the Right Care in the Right Place throughout the Easter holiday period.

GP practices will be closed for two days over the festive period on Friday 7th April and Monday 10th April 2023 however a number of local pharmacists across Forth Valley will be open on the Easter public holidays, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Pharmacists can provide healthcare advice and treatment for many common health conditions and under, a scheme called Pharmacy First, are also able to provide free treatment for a wide range of common health conditions without a GP prescription. These include urine infections, conjunctivitis, skin conditions (such as eczema, dermatitis and reactions to insect bites) skin infections and thrush.

Details of local pharmacy opening times during the Easter period are available on the Spring Zone of NHS Forth Valley’s website www.nhsforthvalley.com/springzone

Anyone requiring urgent health advice when their GP practice is closed should call NHS 24 on 111 as they can provide advice, arrange a consultation with a local healthcare professional or organise an appointment for you to be seen at a local GP out-of-hours or Minor Injuries Centre.

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Health and Care Village will remain open every day over the Easter holiday period, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. It can treat adults and children over the age of one for cuts and grazes, minor burns, sprains and strains. It can also help with minor eye and ear injuries and X-ray and treat broken bones including broken ankles and wrists. People are being asked to phone NHS 24 on 111 before attending the MIU so they can speak direct to a local healthcare professional. This may avoid the need to travel to the Unit or enable them to get an appointment so they don’t need to wait to seen when they attend.

The Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, which continues to be exceptionally busy, is there to treat patients with serious illnesses and injuries, like suspected heart attacks, strokes and breathing difficulties, who require emergency care. Anyone with a non-life-threatening injury or illness, who requires urgent healthcare or advice, should call NHS 24 on 111, day or night, to access advice and treatment as quickly as possible.

More information on local health services, including details of pharmacy opening times over the Easter period, can be found on the Spring Zone of NHS Forth Valley’s website www.nhsforthvalley.com/spring