Self care and preparation – Check you have the medications you need
This bank holiday, start planning now.
1. Make sure you’ve got the medicine you need and order any repeat prescriptions in advance. You could use the NHS App for this. Before ordering repeat prescriptions:
- Check your current supplies to avoid unnecessary stockpiling.
- Only order what you need to help reduce medication waste and ensure availability for others. For more tips on managing your prescriptions visit our medicines waste page.
2. Stocking up on essentials at home like paracetamol, plasters, a thermometer, and indigestion remedies can help you manage minor illnesses without a trip out. Your local pharmacist can advise you on what to keep in your medicine cabinet.
Take a look at Self-help – NHS.
3. Save the 111 website to your phone so you can get quick help if someone becomes unwell over the weekend. You can also call 111 for advice and to find the best care for your symptoms.
4. Make use of NHS advice online and digital tools – There are many apps and services that can get you the help you need. Find out more at www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/digital.
Watch this video by Dr Simone Yule, a GP in North Dorset, talking about self care for common ailments such as coughs, colds, conjunctivitis and sinus infections.
“Over the Easter holidays, it helps to know where to go if you need advice or support.
“Remember your community pharmacist can help with lots of common illnesses. They can also supply prescription-only medicines for seven common conditions, including sinusitis, sore throat and earache.
“If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone and support is there. We have face-to-face safe spaces and a 24-hour helpline, and you can find information and advice on our Stay Well Dorset website. Please reach out if things feel too much, help is always available.”
Think Pharmacy First
Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals who can help with:
- Allergies
- Constipation
- Earaches and headaches
- Sore throats and more
Many also provide Pharmacy First where pharmacists can provide prescription medicines for seven common conditions including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, uncomplicated UTIs in women) without a GP visit.
Visit NHS 111 online, or call 111 for other urgent care needs
If you need urgent (but not emergency) care, don’t wait, NHS 111 is here for you:
- Use the NHS 111 online symptom checker
- Or call 111 for advice, especially out of hours
If needed, they’ll help book you into a Minor Injuries Unit or Urgent Treatment Centre. Walk-ins are accepted, but you may be offered an appointment later that day (or the next) or signposted elsewhere, depending on your needs.
The 111 service can also help if you are unsure what to do and need guidance.
Where to find urgent care in Dorset:
-
Blandford Community Hospital
-
Bridport Community Hospital
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Swanage Hospital
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Victoria Hospital Wimborne
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Westminster Memorial Hospital Shaftesbury
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Yeatman Hospital Sherborne
-
Weymouth Community Hospital
Contact your general practice surgery for non-urgent care
For non urgent issues, contact your general practice surgery using their online form or the NHS app if possible.
The general practice team has nurse practitioners, pharmacists or paramedics as well as GPs based in the practice, and they will decide who might be best placed to help.
This helps you get quicker care and frees up GP time for others who need it most.
Mental health support is here 24/7
Feeling overwhelmed or in crisis?
Call Connection on 0800 652 0190 — available 24/7, even over the bank holiday weekend.
You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time if you need someone to talk to.
If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger, always call 999.
You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service: https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/
Think home not hospital
If you or someone you care about is in hospital, start planning now for their return home:
- Can family or friends help with the transition?
- Are any adjustments needed at home?
Due to high demand in hospitals, you may be asked to move to a different care setting (like community rehab) to continue recovery outside of hospital.
Thank you for only using 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies
Please don’t delay care if it’s a serious emergency, always call 999 or go to your nearest A&E (Emergency Department) if needed.
If it’s not life-threatening, using other services helps us keep emergency care available for those who truly need it most.
Thank you for keeping 999 and A&E clear for genuine life-threatening emergencies.
For urgent dental care:
Urgent dental services are available in Dorset, even if you are not registered with an NHS dentist. Patients can access these services quickly through NHS 111.
Useful links:
For more information on which service to use when visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk.
For advice on what to do when your child or infant is poorly, visit Home: Healthier Together.
If you would like free coaching, support or advice to help you live well in Dorset, please visit LiveWell Dorset.
For people visiting Dorset this Easter, plan ahead and know where to get help.
NHS Dorset is asking holidaymakers to prepare ahead so you can enjoy your time and get the right care if you need it.
- When packing, think self care and preparation – Check you have the medications you need
1. Before you travel, make sure you’ve packed enough of any regular medication to last your whole stay. Local pharmacies may be closed or have reduced hours over the Easter bank holiday weekend and arranging emergency prescriptions can take time.
The Easter bank holiday weekend is Good Friday 3 April 2025 – Easter Monday 6 April 2026.
2. Don’t forget your first aid kit with essentials like paracetamol, plasters, a thermometer, and indigestion remedies can help you manage minor illnesses without a trip out. Your local pharmacist can advise you on what to keep in your medicine cabinet.
Take a look at Self-help – NHS.
3. Save the 111 website to your phone so you can get quick help if someone becomes unwell over the weekend. You can also call 111 for advice and to find the best care for your symptoms. Download the NHS app too.
4. Make use of NHS advice online and digital tools – There are many apps and services that can get you the help you need. Find out more at www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/digital.
Watch this video by Dr Simone Yule, a GP in North Dorset, talking about self care for common ailments such as coughs, colds, conjunctivitis and sinus infections.
- Feeling unwell? Use NHS 111 before you queue
If you or anyone you are travelling with starts feeling unwell, don’t wait.
Call or go online for NHS 111 services which are available 24/7: 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
They can help you find the right service and even book you an appointment at a local urgent treatment centre or minor injuries unit if needed.
- Local pharmacies can help with common issues
Pharmacists are trained to help with a range of minor health problems like earaches, sore throats, allergies, and tummy bugs. You don’t need an appointment.
- Protect others by being aware of the signs of norovirus – Norovirus, also known as the “winter vomiting bug”, is still circulating.
If you feel suddenly sick, experience vomiting or diarrhoea, stay where you are, rest, and drink plenty of fluids. Please don’t visit hospitals or care homes while unwell, as it spreads very easily. See more information here.
- Mental health support is here 24/7
Feeling overwhelmed or in crisis?
- Call Connection on 0800 652 0190 — available 24/7, even over the bank holiday weekend.
- You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time if you need someone to talk to.
- You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.
- If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service: https://signvideo.co.uk/nhs111/
If someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is in danger, always call 999.
- In a crisis or life-threatening emergency, always call 999 or head to A&E.
For serious injuries, chest pain, breathing difficulties, or signs of stroke, call 999 or head to A&E. For anything else, use 111 or speak to a pharmacist first.
- Useful links:
For more information on which service to use when visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk.
For advice on what to do when your child or infant is poorly, visit Home :: Healthier Together.
