Southampton Primary Care Trust (PCT) is urging people to help themselves over the Easter holidays by stocking up on basic first aid items such as painkillers, bandages, indigestion and diarrhoea treatments.

Details of Easter pharmacy opening times are available from 0845 4647.

Many illnesses can be managed at home and advice is freely available from on 0845 4647 or your local pharmacy.

General health information can be accessed any time of the day or night via the self-help guide in your Thompson local directory, over the Internet at www.nhsdirect. nhs.uk and via the interactive service on digital satellite TV.

If you need to see a nurse you can visit a NHS walk-in centre in Southampton (Shirley and Bitterne). Nurses will be able to talk through any concerns you have and can give you certain medication necessary. They will refer you to a doctor or hospital if your condition is more serious.

If you feel you need to see a GP during the Easter holiday time you can access them by calling the out of hours service on 0844 811 3060. You will be advised on how best to care for yourself at home, referred to the most appropriate service for your needs or in some cases advised to wait until your local GP surgery opens. The out of hours service should not be used for repeat routine prescriptions - please ensure you have enough supplies for the bank holiday weekend.

If you do not have a dentist and are suffering with toothache or other dental problems your can call the emergency dental helpline on 023 8033 8336.