People across Kent and Medway are being encouraged to call NHS 111 if they need urgent medical help over the May bank holiday.
NHS 111 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering patients support on a wide range of conditions, covering both illnesses and injuries. Help is at hand from a team of highly trained experts and if needed an appointment can be booked at an urgent treatment centre (UTC) or even an A&E department.
There are 13 UTCs in Kent and Medway which are open a minimum of 12 hours a day from 8am to 8pm. They are able to diagnose and treat a wide variety of illnesses and injuries, with access to a range of diagnostics from blood testing to X-ray. NHS 111 is available by phone or online: 111.nhs.uk
GP practices and pharmacies
GP practices will be closed on Monday 31 May so knowing the right place to go for medical help can help you get the treatment you need faster.
Other steps you can take to get ready include making sure your medicine cabinet contains the basic items required to help you deal with many minor health issues at home. It's also important to make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you and your family have enough medicine to last.
Pharmacists are experts in medicines and can help you with minor health concerns. You can find out opening hours of pharmacies near you on the NHS England website
Find out more about Kent and Medway’s UTCs, including opening times.