As schools across Derbyshire break up for the Easter holidays this weekend, we recommend that families plan ahead for the Easter break when it comes to health care needs.
Here’s our quick guide on how you can feel best prepared for Easter.
Easter bank holiday GP closures
Like most surgeries across the country, all Royal Primary Care GP surgeries will close on the Easter bank holidays – Friday, 18 April (Good Friday) and Monday, 19 April (Easter Monday) – but there is still help available if or when you need it, such as NHS 111, Derbyshire Urgent Treatment Centres and some community pharmacies.
If you need to order your repeat prescriptions, do so by Monday, 7 April to make sure you get your medicine on time and from your nearest pharmacy.
Read our guide on Easter bank holiday closures for more information on how you can get the care you need over the bank holiday weekend.
Think which service you need this Easter
Keep A&E for life-threatening emergencies only.
If you’re in need of urgent care, such as for a broken bone, sprain, minor cut or burn, you can visit one of the Derbyshire Urgent Treatment Centres, which are open from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week and 365 days of the year.
The nearest UTC to Chesterfield is Whitworth Hospital (Matlock), with others based in Buxton, Ripley, Ilkeston and Derby.
If you need medical advice, you can use the NHS 111 online service.
Holiday clubs (for families receiving free school meals) – Derbyshire County Council
Money might be tight for many, and paying for activities during the school holidays can be an expensive ordeal for parents and guardians.
That’s why Derbyshire County Council’s popular holiday activities club – ‘It’s About Me Derbyshire’ – is back for the Easter break from Monday, 7 April to Thursday, 17 April (week days and excluding bank holidays).
The programme is funded by the Department for Education and is available to families who receive benefit-related free school meals – parents will need to use their child’s IAM/ FSM/ HAF code to book.
Find out more and check availability by visiting the It’s About Me website.
Spring is back – and so is hay fever season
Easter coincides with the return of hay fever season, which can mean more sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes for those who experience it.
You can’t cure hay fever, but there are ways you can ease your symptoms and medicine you can take to treat it.
Read more about hay fever on the NHS website for tips on how you can treat hay fever yourself.
You can also use antihistamine drops, tablets or nasal sprays to treat hay fever – find your local pharmacy to get your supply.
Pharmacy first – have you stocked up on First Aid supplies?
If you’re suffering from a mild illness, such as a cough or sore throat, need to treat insect bites or need advice on other health-related issues, your community pharmacy should be your first port of call – it’ll be quicker and easier than waiting to see a GP, too. They’ll also have everything you need for your First Aid kit, which you should make sure is fully stocked for the holidays ahead.
Find your local pharmacy to get sorted for Easter, and check out your community pharmacy bank holiday opening times via the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website.