MEDICS have urged anyone with prescriptions to stock up before the Easter weekend.
As the four-day bank holiday approaches, you might want to check your medicine cabinet has enough drugs to tide you over, health bosses have said.
This is because pharmacies or GPs might be closed or have different opening times between Friday March 29 and Monday April 1.
Having a “well-stocked” medicine cabinet full of items to treat any unexpected minor health concerns at home can help people avoid visits to A&E over the holiday weekend, the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) said.
Dr Neil O’Brien, from the ICB said: “One of the best things people can do is keep some basic medicines at home such as paracetamol, plasters, indigestion remedy and anti-diarrhoeal medicine.
“It’s also important to have enough repeat medicine to last over the holidays.”
Emergency services and hospitals typically see increased demand over the bank holiday, the board said.
“If people are unwell, then of course we are here to help, but we are also asking everyone to make sure they are well prepared for the holidays,” the medic explained.
While people should enjoy the long weekend, Dr Neil asked Brits to have fun “safely”.
“Whether you’re working in the garden, tackling some DIY or taking part in outdoor activities, please, please, remember to do it safely – and this also includes taking care when drinking alcohol,” he said.
He added: “Unfortunately, over bank holidays, we often see many people turn up at A&E and emergency services with illness, injury, accidents and violence-related incidents due to drinking too much.
“While we understand people want to enjoy themselves, we know they don’t want to spend their valuable holiday time in A&E or hospital because they’ve overdone it!”
What does a well-stocked medicine cabinat look like?
Be prepared for common ailments by keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home
The following list, recommended by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, will help you deal with most minor ailments.
Medicines:
- Pain relief – painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen are highly effective at relieving most minor aches and pains, such as headaches and period pain
- Decongestants – can provide short-term relief for a blocked or stuffy nose.
- Indigestion treatment – if you have stomach ache or heartburn, a simple antacid will reduce stomach acidity and bring relief
- Antihistamines – these are useful for dealing with allergies and insect bites
- Anti-diarrhoea tablets – these remedies can quickly control the symptoms of diarrhoea, although they don’t deal with the underlying cause.
- Oral re-hydration salts – an easy way to help restore your body’s natural balance of minerals and fluid, and help your recovery after fever, diarrhoea or vomiting
- Sunscreen – keep a sun lotion of at least factor 15 to reduce your risk of skin cancer
First aid kit:
- Bandages – can support injured limbs, such as a sprained wrist, and apply direct pressure to larger cuts before being treated in hospital
- Plasters – a range of sizes, waterproof if possible
- Eyewash solution – this will help wash out grit or dirt in the eyes.
- Thermometer – digital thermometers that you put in your mouth produce very accurate readings; an underarm thermometer or an ear thermometer are good ways to read a baby or young child’s temperature.
- Sterile dressings – larger injuries should be covered with a sterile dressing to prevent infection until treatment can be given by a healthcare professional
- Tweezers – for taking out splinters; if splinters are left in, they can cause discomfort and could become infected
- Antiseptic – this can be used to clean cuts before they’re bandaged, and most can treat a range of conditions, including insect stings, ulcers and pimples; alcohol-free antiseptic wipes are useful to clean cuts
Call NHS 111 for help
The London Ambulance Service (LAS) issued a similar warning, asking Brits to remember that emergency and urgent care services are under pressure.
“If it’s urgent but not a serious medical emergency, please consider other options such as GPs and pharmacies, as some of these services will still be available, or NHS 111 online,” Darren Farmer, LAS director, said.
He added: “NHS 111 should be your first port of call if you’re unsure what to do or unsure which service you need.
“Only call 999 when it’s a serious medical emergency so we can prioritise responding to the most seriously ill and injured patients.”
When should I call 999?
The NHS says you should call 999 when a medical or mental health emergency has occurred.
This would be a situation in which a person is “seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk.”
The website lists some emergencies to be aware of:
- Loss of consciousness
- A sudden confused state
- Fits that are not stopping
- Chest pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
- Severe burns or scalds
- Someone has seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
You should call 999 immediately if you think you or someone else is suffering a stroke or heart attack because every second counts with both conditions, the NHS website explains.
What should you do if you’re not sure whether to call 999?
You can receive urgent medical help or advice by dialling the NHS 111 service.
The service is available online or by calling 111 and it is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
They will give you the help you need by asking questions about your symptoms.
NHS 111 can book an A&E time slot if you need to visit the department and this could reduce the time you wait to be seen there.
For more information about emergencies and dialling 999, you can visit the NHS website.