Think ahead and stay healthy this Easter

1 April 2022

Be prepared for Easter by checking you have the medicine you need and visiting a pharmacy or urgent treatment centre at the first sign of illness.

The long weekend can be one of the busiest times of the year. But with a few simple steps people can save time and avoid an unnecessary trip to A&E.

Dr Navin Kumta, Chair of NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: "GP practices will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday so we're urging people who take regular medication to check they have got enough to last until at least the week after Easter.

“Please make sure your medicine cabinet is well stocked too – no one wants to spend the holidays driving around in search of paracetamol, plasters or children’s medicine.

“There are local pharmacies open on Good Friday, Saturday as usual, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday and, to find them, people can visit www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk.”

Finding the right treatment

The Stop Think Choose website gives advice on which NHS service to use, along with details of urgent treatment centres (UTCs). UTCs can treat a variety of minor illness and injury. Patients can either walk in or call NHS 111, which can book an appointment.

Check your medicine cabinet

A well-stocked medicine cabinet should include:
• painkillers (paracetamol and ibuprofen – including child versions if you have children under 12)
• thermometer
• plasters, bandages and sticking tape
• antiseptic cream
• sunscreen
• rehydration salts
• indigestion treatments
• antihistamines, such as hay fever tablets and insect bite creams.

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