NHS Forth Valley is reminding people how to access health information, advice and treatment ahead of the public holiday on Monday 6th May 2024.

Although GP practices will be closed on Monday 6th May 2024, a number of local pharmacists across Forth Valley will be open. 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 on Monday 6th May are available on the Info Zone of NHS Forth Valley’s website www.nhsforthvalley.com/infozone

If you need healthcare advice for a non-life-threatening condition you can use the symptom checkers and self-help guides on NHS Inform. These include advice on coughs, fevers, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches, sore throats, accessing medication if have run out as well as advice on mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks. You can also phone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Mon – Fri from 8.00am to 6.00pm) for advice.

For urgent health advice 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 Centre or Minor Injuries Unit.

The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Health and Care Village is open on public holidays, including Monday 6th May 2024. It can treat adults and children over the age of one from across Forth Valley for cuts and grazes, minor burns, sprains and strains. It can also arrange X-rays and treat broken bones. Phone NHS 24 on 111 before attending the MIU so you can speak direct to a local healthcare professional for advice. This may avoid the need for you to travel to the Unit or enable you to make an appointment, so you don’t need to wait if you do need to attend.

The Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital 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 on the May public holiday can be found on the Info Zone of NHS Forth Valley’s website: www.nhsforthvalley.com/infozone