People in Devon urged to stock up on medicine before August bank holiday

With the August Bank Holiday fast approaching NHS Devon is reminding people to stock up on any essential medication.

GP practices and most pharmacies will be closed on Monday 30 August. They will reopen on Tuesday 31 August.

NHS Devon is reminding people to:

 

• Make sure they have enough medication to cover the period when their GP practice is closed. This may mean asking for repeat prescriptions from their GP
• Ensure they have sufficient medication to cover the period if they are going away on holiday
• Stock up their medicine cabinet to help with common ailments such as flu or colds.

 

If people need general medical advice they should call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or go to www.nhs.uk.

Minor injuries units and walk-in centres are available at many community hospitals in the county for the treatment of cuts, sprains and minor burns. Go to www.devonpct.nhs.uk for more details.

People should also check pharmacy and GP practice opening hours in advance. These can usually be found on or near the front door.

If people need urgent help from a GP before their practice reopens they should call Devon Doctors direct on 0845 6710 270 (local rate). Alternatively, they can call their own surgery and listen to the recorded message.

Their details will be taken and a clinician will ring them back to provide appropriate telephone advice or suggest treatment at home or at a local centre.

People who have a life threatening condition should always dial 999 or go to the emergency department at their nearest acute hospital.