Health advice for over the Christmas period in Edinburgh

OF COURSE everyone wants to have a healthy, accident and pain-free Christmas. But sometimes even our best laid plans come a cropper.

Remember most GP practices will be closed from Christmas Day until December 28 and from New Year's Day until January 4, so pick up repeat prescriptions before the holidays kick in.

Health advice is available at pharmacies, but most will close for the holidays, too. Open in Edinburgh on Christmas Day will be Newington Pharmacy, Boots on Shandwick Place (noon to 4pm) and Apple Pharmacy on Dalry Road (9am to 12.30pm). In West Lothian, Deans Pharmacy in Livingston will open from 10am to 2pm.

Open for limited hours on New Year's Day will be Ferguson Pharmacy in North Berwick, Deans Pharmacy in Livingston, and, in Edinburgh, Southside Pharmacy, Boots on Shandwick Place, Apple Pharmacy on Dalry Road, Boots Edinburgh Airport, Lloyds on Deanhaugh Street, and Asda at the Jewel.

Hospital Accident and Emergency services are for urgent health situations only.

For minor ailments and injuries, such as minor cuts, burns, infections, stings, sprains and small bone breaks, go to the Minor Injuries Clinic at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital, open daily until 9pm. Phone [phone].

For medical advice over the holidays, phone NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

For urgent dental care, contact the practice where you are registered and listen for a telephone message explaining the practice arrangements for accessing care.

If you aren't registered with a practice, or are a visitor to Edinburgh, go to Chalmers Dental Centre, 3 Chalmers Street, which is open during normal working hours.

Children under 16 who aren't registered with a practice should go to the Children's Department, Edinburgh Dental Institute at Lauriston Place.

Further information contact the Lothian Dental Advice Line on 0131-536 4800 or call NHS 24.