Looking after your health – be prepared and know what to do

With health care services still under severe pressure, and the upcoming Easter holiday weekend (7 – 10 April) followed by industrial action by junior doctors (11 – 15 April), local people are being encouraged to be prepared and know what to do if they or a family member feels unwell.

Dr Andrew Kelso, medical director of the NHS Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care Board, said: “I ask everyone to have at hand the medicine cabinet essentials including paracetamol, sticking plasters, indigestion remedy and anti-diarrhoeal medicine. Your pharmacist will be happy to offer advice on what medicines you should keep at home.

“By doing this you will be best prepared to deal with minor illness and injury at home.

“It’s also important to have enough repeat prescription medicine to last over the holidays. Remember your GP surgery will be closed on Good Friday (April 7) and Easter Monday (April 10) and you need to leave at least 48 hours for your surgery to process a repeat prescription and additional time for your pharmacy to dispense it.

“During Easter and the subsequent period of industrial action, staff and services will be incredibly busy, and the priority will always be to help first those with life-threatening conditions. So, please consider carefully the best source of help and keep our emergency departments for the most serious issues.

“If you or a family member feels unwell firstly visit the NHS 111 Online symptom checker or telephone NHS 111 for help and advice.  Both of these services are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Your local pharmacy is a great source of help and advice and you don’t need an appointment to speak with the pharmacist. Some pharmacies will be open over the holiday weekend, including Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

“For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis you can speak to a mental health professional anytime, day or night, by calling NHS 111 and choosing the mental health option.

Pharmacies open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday will be listed on the NHS England website