Things to do before your summer holiday
Holidaymakers are being asked to add some extra items to their ‘to do’ lists as they prepare for their summer breaks.
The first is to make sure you have any medicines you may need while you’re away. You will need to think about this in advance to make sure you have time to collect any repeat prescriptions and can speak to your local pharmacy staff for advice.
The second is to pack a basic first aid kit to deal with any minor illnesses or injuries whilst you’re on holiday.
Doctor Phil Jennings, Chair of Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “Remembering to do these things as part of your routine holiday preparation will help to avoid any unnecessary visits to see a doctor or waits in A&E while you’re away.
“In the excitement and rush to make sure you pack everything – including sun cream, sunhat and sunglasses – it is easy to forget about medication you may need for long term health conditions. If you talk to your local pharmacy staff they can help to make sure you avoid any last minute panics.
“A basic first aid kit will help with complaints such as upset stomachs, allergies, headaches, sunburn, insect bites, aches, sprains and strains. You can find a really useful interactive first aid kit guide on the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk, or talk to pharmacy staff about what you might need in your kit.”
A summer health advice guide is available from high street pharmacies and can also be downloaded from www.northwest.nhs.uk.
Pharmacy staff are working with the NHS to help people to use the right health service first time, as part of the Choose Well campaign. Health leaders believe more than 51 million people a year who visit their GP with common complaints could either care for themselves or visit their local high street pharmacy or walk-in centre for help.