With the bank holiday weekend fast approaching, health professionals from NHS Leeds CCG are reminding residents to plan ahead to stay well.
Patients with long-term conditions are being asked to make sure they have enough medicines available to cover the bank holiday period.
According to Dr Gordon Sinclair, GP at Burton Croft Surgery in Headingley and Clinical Chair at NHS Leeds CCG,
“It’s important that patients with long-term conditions have enough medicine to keep them well over the bank holiday as running out over the bank holiday can have serious health consequences.
“Being prepared also helps reduce the impact on other NHS services as some people may need urgent or emergency treatment if they don’t have enough medication to keep them well.”
As well as having enough prescribed medication, it’s also important to have a well-stocked medicine cabinet to treat most minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, headaches and diarrhoea at home. A good medicine cabinet should include:
- Paracetamol and aspirin, and equivalent syrups (such as Calpol) for children
- Mild laxatives to relieve constipation
- Re-hydration mixtures for diarrhoea or vomiting
- Indigestion remedy
- Tweezers and sharp scissors to remove splinters or cut bandages
- A thermometer to check for fever
- A range of bandages, plasters (various sizes), non-absorbent cotton wool, elastic bandages and dressings
- Antiseptic to clean cuts before they’re dressed (bandaged) and most can treat a range of conditions including insect stings, ulcers and pimples.
If you become unwell over the bank holiday weekend, pharmacists can offer advice on common ailments such as coughs, colds, aches and pains, or an upset stomach. To find a pharmacy open over the bank holiday, please visit: www.leedswestccg.nhs.uk/health/services/feeling-unwell
Some routine GP appointments are available over the bank holiday weekend although this may not be at your usual GP practice. If you need an appointment please ring your own GP Practice where you will be directed accordingly.
You can also call NHS 111 if you need medical help fast but it is not an emergency. This helps the local NHS keep emergency services free for those that need them the most.
