Ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend, people across the North East and Yorkshire are encouraged to plan ahead and use the NHS App to help them stay on top of their healthcare needs during the break.

The NHS App is a digital front door to the health service which allows people to order repeat prescriptions, manage appointments, access NHS 111 online, and find nearby healthcare services all in one convenient place.

Dr Hamish McLure, Regional Medical Director for NHS North East and Yorkshire, said:  

“As the Easter bank holiday approaches, we’re encouraging people across the North East and Yorkshire to use the NHS App to ensure they have sufficient medicines for their health needs and know how to access healthcare services should they need medical help.

“The NHS App, a digital front door to the health service, enables people to track prescriptions, manage appointments, access NHS 111 online, and find local healthcare services all before heading out”

The app also links to NHS 111 online which can tell you where to get help for your symptoms, the most appropriate local treatment option such as a GP, a pharmacy consultation, a call-back from a nurse, or an urgent walk-in treatment centre, Dr McLure added. NHS 111 online isn’t available for children under five years and people requiring urgent medical help for under-fives should use the 111 phone line.

People should still call 999 or go to A&E in an emergency, when someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk.

When it’s not a life-threatening emergency, NHS Urgent treatment centres (UTCs) diagnose and deal with many of the common problems people go to A&E for. They treat things like strains, sprains and minor cuts.

For community pharmacies open over the bank holiday visit the NHS Find a pharmacy webpage. Community pharmacies can help people with medicine and health needs, as well as providing advice and treatment for a range of minor conditions:

• sinusitis
• sore throat
• earache
• infected insect bites and stings
• impetigo
• shingles
• uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women.

People may also consider having at home a small stock of basic medicines in case needed for minor illness or injury. These may include paracetamol, plasters, indigestion remedy and anti-diarrhoeal medicine. Ask your local pharmacist for advice on what medicines you should keep at home.

You download the NHS App free on the App store or on Google Play.