Know Where to Turn to For Health Advice and Support This Easter
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 (14th April 2017) to Easter Monday (17th April 2017), before re-opening on Tuesday 18th April 2017.
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 14th April and Saturday 15th April 2017. A rota-system will operate on Monday 17th April 2017 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/spring-zone
If you think you may 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.
NHS Forth Valley’s Medical Director Mr Andrew Murray 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 also 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/spring-zone
