Follow the advice given in the ‘3 before GP’ campaign, which Bath and North East Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group is backing:

1. Self-care: Treat the symptoms of many minor ailments at home, with rest and over-the-counter medicines.

2. Use trusted NHS online services: The NHS Choices website offers advice on a range of health issues and is a useful place to turn for guidance. Another resource on offer in B&NES is the paediatric HANDi app. It’s free to download to smartphones and tablets and contains expert advice about the most common childhood illnesses, as well as lots of specific advice about how common ailments can be treated at home.

3. Ask your pharmacist: Pharmacists are an excellent source of health advice, particularly about long-term conditions and common illnesses, such as coughs, colds and stomach upsets. You don’t need an appointment to see them and many have private consultation areas. Your pharmacist will tell you if you need further medical attention.

If you have followed the three steps above and still need medical help, call 111, which is available 24/7. An adviser will ask questions to assess your symptoms and then give you the advice you need or direct you to the best service for you in your area. If required, the adviser will book you an appointment with the GP out-of-hours service at the RUH or Paulton Memorial Hospital.

Emergency departments and the ambulance service are for life-threatening emergencies and accidents, including loss of consciousness, suspected heart attacks, breathing difficulties or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped. Emergency departments are likely to be extremely busy over the Easter weekend, with long waiting times, so please call NHS 111 for advice first if you are not sure where to go.

The 26 GP practices in B&NES will be closed over the Easter weekend from Friday, 30th March until Monday, 2nd April inclusive.

Pharmacy Opening Times:

Good Friday, 30th March: 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Boots, 33-35 Westgate, Bath, BA1 1EL, Tel: 01225 482069.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station, Green Park Road, Bath, BA1 2DR. Tel: 01225 332046.

8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (lunch 2 p.m. to 2.30 p.m.), Superdrug, 30-32 Westgate Street, Bath, BA1 1EL. Tel: 01225 336198.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lifestyle Pharmacy, 15 Westgate Street Bath BA1 1BE. Tel: 01225 465576.

8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Boots, 1 Newark Street, Southgate, Bath, BA1 1AT. Tel: 01225 461251

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, BA3 2DD. Tel: 01761 413251.

Easter Saturday, 31st March: Pharmacies open as usual.

Easter Sunday, 1st April:

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Westfield Pharmacy, 9 Elmtree Avenue, Westfield, Radstock, BA3 3SX. Tel: 01761 434692.

1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, 88 Frome Road, Odd Down, Bath, BA2 2PP. Tel: 01225 833003.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Chandag Road Pharmacy, 47 Chandag Road, Keynsham, BS31 1PW. Tel: 0117 9864121

Easter Monday, 2nd April

10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Boots, Westgate, Bath.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lloyds Pharmacy, Green Park Station.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lifestyle Pharmacy, Westgate Street.

8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Boots, Southgate, Bath.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lloyds Pharmacy, Chesterfield House, High Street, Midsomer Norton, Tel: 01761 413251.