Scots urged to stock up on medical supplies

A CAMPAIGN has been launched to make sure Scots plan ahead for lengthy closures of GP surgeries over the New Year.

Scottish celebrities including presenter Kaye Adams and rugby captain Chris Cusiter have backed the calls from NHS Scotland to make sure people have medical supplies and know where to go for help during the holidays.

Many GP surgeries and pharmacies are open on Friday and are then closed for four days during the New Year period, reopening on Wednesday, 5 January.

The Be Ready for Winter campaign is also urging Scots to restock their winter medicine cabinet, ask pharmacists for help in treating common winter ailments, use routine doctor's appointments where possible, and only rely on out-of-hours services when they cannot wait to see their own doctor.

Adams, a mother of two, said: "After years of trial and error, the main things in my medicine cabinet are paracetamol and Calpol, with a vapour rub for the kids.

"I used to be pretty impervious to colds, but with two children attending school and nursery I find I am more susceptible, so I'm never surprised when I feel that battery-acid trickle down the back of my throat, as it's always the first sign."

Cusiter, joint captain of the Scottish rugby team, said: "We have the option of getting flu jabs every year, which I take, and if I get a cold, I try to eat healthily, stay well hydrated and I find that plenty of rest also helps a lot.".

Leaflets offering information about health services and how to treat common winter ailments are being distributed across the country.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy during the winter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk, or by phoning NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88.