Residents and visitors are being reminded to plan for their healthcare needs ahead of the upcoming bank holiday and half term holidays.

With thousands of people expected to visit the county over the long weekend and school break, NHS Devon are encouraging everyone to make sure they know which service is right for their needs, to order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time and keep a well-stocked medicine cabinet at home for minor illnesses and injuries.

Community pharmacies can offer advice and treatment for a range of common conditions, while NHS 111 online and by phone is available 24 hours a day to direct patients to the most appropriate care.

Minor injuries units and urgent treatment centres can also help with non-life-threatening issues, helping residents and visitors alike get the right care, in the right place, as quickly as possible.

 Ahead of the bank holiday weekend, the advice is to:

• Order and collect repeat prescriptions early, particularly if you are travelling or planning to be away over the bank holiday
  
  
• Use community pharmacies and the Pharmacy First service for advice and treatment for common conditions, free contraception services and free blood pressure checks
  
  
• Call 999 in a life-threatening emergency – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk
  
  
• Visit NHS 111 online or call 111 if you need urgent medical advice or are unsure which service you should use
  
  
• Check in on vulnerable family members, friends or neighbours and make sure medicine cabinets are stocked with essentials
  
  
• Seek urgent dental care via NHS 111, where advisers can assess your needs and arrange an appointment if required
  
  
• Access mental health support through NHS 111 if you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis

Contact your own GP practice first

Visitors to Devon are reminded that their first port of call for GP care should normally be their home GP practice, which can often provide advice through online, phone or video consultations and arrange for prescriptions to be sent electronically to a pharmacy of your choice in Devon.

Community pharmacies

Community pharmacies can provide expert advice and treatment for a range of common conditions such as earache (children up to 17 years) insect bites and urinary tract infections, (women only up to 64 years), free contraception services, and free blood pressure checks without the need for a GP appointment through Pharmacy First, making them a quick and convenient option for many minor illnesses while people are away from home.

Access the NHS App 24/7

Use the NHS App to order repeat prescriptions, check symptoms and access a range of NHS services, which can be particularly helpful when some services are closed over the bank holiday. The app is free to download and available to use at any time.

Check opening times

Check the opening times of local Urgent Treatment Centres or Minor Injury Units by visiting our interactive map on the One Devon website here

In an emergency

For life-threatening emergencies – such as someone who is unconscious, struggling to breathe, having a severe allergic reaction, experiencing a seizure for the first time, or suffering serious injury or bleeding that won’t stop – always call 999.

By planning ahead, ordering prescriptions early and making use of community pharmacies and NHS 111, visitors and residents can help ensure everyone stays well over the bank holiday and half term holidays, while protecting urgent and emergency services for the most serious conditions.