Fourteen sites across the region will be available on Sunday, 17th April, with more locations also staying open on both Friday, 15th and Monday, 18th April.

As the weekend is bookended by the Good Friday and Easter Monday bank holidays, most pharmacies will close at the end of the day on Thursday, 14th April, and not reopen until Tuesday, 19th April.

Ahead of the break, people taking regular medication are being asked to check their current supply and, wherever necessary, order any additional items to cover the Easter period. People should also check the opening times of their local pharmacies and, in the event that those nearby are closed, know which other sites will be open. The Easter opening hours for all pharmacies in B&NES can be found at: www.bswccg.nhs.uk.

Dr Andrew Girdher, Clinical Chair and GP Partner at Box Surgery, said: “Easter is always a busy time for the NHS, and we fully anticipate that the current levels of high demand, which our hospitals and minor injuries units are currently facing, will only increase over the next few days.

“People can support these already-stretched services by making use of the pharmacies staying open on the bank holidays and, wherever possible, managing minor illness and injury, including mild Covid-19 symptoms, at home.”

NHS 111 can also be used for less-urgent health concerns, online or by phone, for advice and information based on individual symptoms.