With many GP practices and pharmacies closing during the Easter holiday break (Friday 18 – Monday 21 April), ‘News’ readers are being urged to prepare to cope with any common health concerns.

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.

Most pharmacies are open on Good Friday (18 April) with the exception of: J.B. Spence, 49 Skelmorlie Castle Road, Skelmorlie, Most pharmacies will be closed on Easter Monday (21 April) with the exception of: Superdrug Pharmacy, 6b Aitken Street, Largs, open 8.30am - 6pm; Morrisons Pharmacy, 4 Irvine Road, Largs, open 9am – 6pm Cumbrae Pharmacy, 30 Stuart Street, Millport, open 9am – 5.30pm 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.