With many GP practices and pharmacies closing during the Easter holiday break this Friday to Monday, East Ayrshire residents are being urged to prepare to cope with any common health concerns.

Most pharmacies in East Ayrshire are open on Good Friday (April 18) with the exception of: Drongan Pharmacy, 15 Glencraig Street, Drongan Crosshouse Pharmacy, 4/8 Irvine Road, Crosshouse Doon Valley Pharmacy, 5 Cathcartson, Dalmellington Stewart Pharmacy, 6 Main Street, Dalrymple Ochiltree Pharmacy, 90 Main Street, Ochiltree Most pharmacies in East Ayrshire will be closed on Easter Monday (April 21) with the exception of: Boots the Chemist, 62/70 King Street, Kilmarnock, open 10am – 4.30pm Morrisons Pharmacy, West Langlands Street, Kilmarnock, open 9am – 6pm Community pharmacists can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments such as coughs, colds and flu. NHS 24 also has a number of community pharmacists who are able to answer medicine and pharmacy-related questions over the telephone on 08454 24 24 24.

The public can also do a number of things to ensure they are prepared to deal with common illnesses for the coming months.

Have a sufficient supply of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat and cough remedies, as these will help to relieve the symptoms of common ailments.

People who take regular medication should they check their existing supplies and only order what they need to ensure they have enough to see them through the weekend, Good Friday, Easter Monday and holidays away from home.

What your community pharmacist can do: If you qualify for the Minor Ailments Service your community pharmacist may prescribe medication for you following a consultation; Give you advice on the best way to take your medicines; Give women advice and supply emergency hormonal contraception; Dispense prescriptions; Give advice on diet and exercise; Give advice, support and where appropriate, prescribe nicotine replacement therapy to those giving up smoking; Hold records of your medicines to ensure that the safety of any future medication is checked; Provide a private area to discuss sensitive issues; Give you advice over the telephone; Many pharmacies also offer: Advice on travel health; Pregnancy testing; Collection and delivery of prescriptions; Supervised methadone supply; Needle exchange.

If you need a doctor urgently and your GP’s surgery is closed, call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

For emergency dental treatment, call NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.