Residents of Ayrshire and Arran have been urged to prepare for the closure of GP practices on Monday, May 27, due to the bank holiday.

Community pharmacies will stay open to offer advice and support for common health concerns.

The NHS 24 service will also have pharmacists available to answer medicine-related questions over the phone on 111.

Roisin Kavanagh, director of pharmacy at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “You can do a number of things to make sure you are prepared to deal with common illnesses over the bank holiday.

"Having a sufficient supply of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat and cough remedies will help to relieve the symptoms of common ailments.

“If you take regular medication, you should check your existing supplies and only order what you need to see you through the holiday weekend."

Ms Kavanagh advised people to know when their local GP practice and community pharmacies are closed.

She added: "Please also take into consideration the time required by your local GP Practice and community pharmacy for processing prescription requests as this can add up to seven days”.

Under the Pharmacy First Service, community pharmacists can prescribe medication after a consultation, treat various infections and provide many other services, including dispensing prescriptions and giving advice, support and nicotine replacement therapy to those giving up smoking.

Ms Kavanagh also warned residents not to visit the pharmacy if they display any symptoms of Covid-19.

On the bank holiday, healthcare advice can still be obtained from a community pharmacist or NHS 24.

In Ayrshire and Arran, various pharmacies will remain open on May 27, providing a range of services including advice on travel health, pregnancy testing, prescription collection and delivery, supervised methadone supply and needle exchange.

These are:

In East Ayrshire; Boots Pharmacy, Kilmarnock; Well Pharmacy, Mauchline; and Right Medicine Pharmacy, Ochiltree.

In North Ayrshire; Arran Pharmacy, Brodick; Well Pharmacy, Beith; Davidson’s Chemist, Dreghorn; Lawthorn Pharmacy, Irvine; Superdrug Pharmacy, Largs; Halliday Pharmacy, Largs; Morrisons Pharmacy, Largs; and Cumbrae Pharmacy, Millport.

In South Ayrshire; Boots Pharmacy and Well Pharmacy in Ayr.