Ayr residents are being reminded of GP closures due to the upcoming bank holidays.

With GP practices being closed on Monday, May 1, Monday, May 8 and Monday, May 29, South Ayrshire residents are being urged to check who to turn to if they need advice or support to cope with any common health concerns.

Some community pharmacists will remain open during this period and can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments.

NHS 24 also has a number of pharmacists who are able to answer medicine and pharmacy-related questions over the telephone on 111.

In addition, NHS inform has valuable advice visit - http://www.nhsinform.scot

Roisin Kavanagh, Director of Pharmacy, explains: “You can do a number of things to make sure you are prepared to deal with common illnesses over each of the bank holiday weekends.

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

“If you take regular medication, you should check your existing supplies and only order what you need to see you through over the holiday weekend.

"It is also a good idea to make sure you know when your local GP practice and community pharmacy are closed.

"Please also take into consideration the time required by your local GP Practice and community pharmacy for processing prescription requests as this can add up to several days.”

A community pharmacist can:

· prescribe medication for you following a consultation, under the Pharmacy First service

· treat many women from age 16 for urinary tract infections under the Pharmacy First service*

· treat many patients for impetigo under the Pharmacy First service*

· treat patients over 18 for skin infections including infected insect bites under the Pharmacy First service*

· treat patients over 18 for shingles under the Pharmacy First service*

· provide your repeat prescriptions when your GP is not available (under certain circumstances)