NHS Forth Valley points to "exceptionally high" levels of winter demand for services

dailyrecord.co.uk:

NHS Forth Valley is preparing for its toughest winter yet as health and social care services across the area continue to face very high levels of demand.As it heads into the festive period local people are being asked to help by ensuring they get the right care in the right place during the busy winter period.GP practices will operate as normal until Friday, December 22, and will then close for two days at Christmas on Monday, December 25, and Tuesday, December 26 (reopening on Wednesday December 27) and two days at New Year on Monday January 1 and Tuesday January 2 (reopening on Wednesday January 3).People who take regular medication are asked to check any repeat prescription they rely on and order only what they need before the festive break to ensure they have it to cover them over the holiday period.A number of local pharmacists across Forth Valley will be open for periods of time on the festive public holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.As part of a national service called Pharmacy First, local pharmacists can also provide health advice and free treatment, if required, for a range of common conditions without a GP prescription.

These include coughs, sore throats, blocked or runny nose, urine infections, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea and indigestion.Details of local pharmacy opening hours during the festive period can be found on the Winter Zone of the NHS Forth Valley website www.nhsforthvalley.com/winter.The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Health and Care Village will remain open every day over the festive period, including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

It can treat adults and children over the age of one for a wide range of minor injuries, including cuts and grazes, minor burns,