NHS Lanarkshire urges people to prepare for Christmas closure

Dec 24 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

PEOPLE have been warned to be prepared for winter illnesses. The message comes from NHS Lanarkshire as the four-day GP closure looms this weekend.

The NHS Scotland Be ready for Winter campaign, run in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire, encourages people to ensure medicine cabinets are stocked up.

NHS Scotland also provide advice on how to treat winter illnesses such as coughs, colds, flu and the winter vomiting bug.

This year GP surgeries will be closed from December 25-28, and again from January 1-4, although many doctors will be working throughout this period, supporting out-of-hours services.

Alan Lawrie, director of South Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “It’s important you have the right medication to see you through the festive period.

“Treating common winter illnesses at home will allow NHS Lanarkshire to provide help where it is most needed, and pharmacists can advise on what is needed to treat coughs, colds and flu.”

A wide range of self-care advice on common winter bugs is available by visiting: www.nhs24.com or calling the NHS helpline on 0800 22 44 88.