Hampshire and Isle of Wight residents urged to plan healthcare for August bank holiday

Residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are being advised to plan ahead for healthcare needs during the upcoming August bank holiday weekend, which runs from Saturday, August 29th to Monday, August 31st. Healthcare services are expected to be particularly busy as people celebrate the final long weekend of summer.

Community pharmacies across the region will remain open to provide advice and treatment for various common conditions. Under the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme, pharmacists can assess symptoms and, where appropriate, provide prescription medication for issues such as shingles, sore throats, earaches, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Dr. Charlotte Hutchings, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, recommends that individuals check their supply of regular medications and verify local pharmacy opening times in advance. For those unsure of where to seek help, NHS 111 is available to assess symptoms and direct patients to the most suitable service.