This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
NHS Easter ad campaign
05/04/2006
An advertising campaign launched this week encourages responsible use of the NHS over the Easter weekend, so that those most in need of help can get it first.
The TV, radio, press and poster campaign runs from April 3 until April 17.
NHS Scotland Chief Executive Kevin Woods said:
"Every year, NHS Scotland actively plans for the pressures on services that Easter can bring and thorough preparations have been made to meet these challenges. NHS Boards and NHS 24 have worked together to increase their capacity to deal with out-of-hours and public holiday calls.
"The public can and do play an important part in helping the NHS to ensure that these pressures do not cause significant disruption. The advertising campaign focuses on what the public can do to help before and during the holiday - helping the NHS get help to those who need it most this Easter."
Harry Burns, Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, said: "This Easter many GP practices will be closed over the four day Easter period. This campaign asks individuals to do a few simple and sensible things to ease the pressure on out-of-hours services.
"Making sure that you have a prescription for any repeat medication you may need over Easter, and only using the out-of-hours services if you can't wait until your GP practice re-opens on 18 April are the two main things that the public can do to help.
"As well as gearing up the NHS and encouraging the public to play their part, we also need to look at what individuals can do to help themselves and others. This year people can access the opening times and locations of their local pharmacies through NHS 24's website. The website also has a self-help guide and health encylopaedia."
The NHS Scotland advertising campaign sets out some steps to help NHS Scotland at this busy time, and highlights the NHS Helpline number 0800 22 44 88 and website www.nhs24.com which has further information on pharmacy opening times and self-help advice. Posters have also been distributed to GP practices and pharmacies.
The practical steps are:
- If you take repeat medication, make sure that your doctor gives you a prescription to cover the holiday period (14 - 17 April inclusive)
- where possible, use your GP Practice for health care advice by making a routine appointment
- use out of hours services only when you think it can't wait until your GP Practice re-opens on 18 April
- ask your pharmacist for advice on treatments for common minor illnesses