Scotland’s Health Secretary stopped off in Kilwinning last week to encourage greater use of pharmacies to help unburden GPs this winter.

Cabinet Secretary for Health Jeane Freeman MSP visited Kilwinning’s Townhead Pharmacy on Friday, November 30 for the launch of NHS 24’s national campaign ‘Be Health-Wise this Winter’.

This is to encourage people suffering minor illnesses, like coughs and colds, to visit their community pharmacy before making an appointment with their GP.

Townhead Pharmacy owner David Stribling said: “Against a backdrop of overwhelming pressure on the NHS, particularly in winter, the role of community pharmacies is becoming increasingly important.”