Residents are being urged to make use of pharmacies this weekend with NHS services set to be more busy than usual due to the bank holiday.

Those who don’t need urgent care are encouraged to seek help and advice from pharmacists during the bank holiday.

Those getting repeat prescriptions are being asked to get them with plenty of time as community pharmacies need between 24 to 48 hours from when they receive repeat prescriptions to prepare medicines.

Along with minor illnesses, pharmacies are able to treat the following conditions: shingles, sore throats, infected insect bites, earaches, sinusitis, impetigo and uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI).

The pharmacies open this bank holiday are:

Southampton

The Adelaide Health Centre, on William Macleod Way - from 10am to 5pm

Boots the Chemists on Above Bar Street – from 9am to 6pm

Boots the Chemist on West Quay Retail Park – from 9am to 6pm.

Tesco Pharmacy on Tebourba Way – from 10am to 4pm.

Eastleigh

Asda Pharmacy on Bournemouth Road – from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1pm to 4pm

Bursledon

Tesco Pharmacy, Hamble Lane – from 10am to 4pm.

Fareham

Asda Pharmacy, on Speedfields Park, Newgate Lane – open from 10am to 12.30pm and from 1pm to 4pm.

Boots the Chemist, Westbury Mail, Fareham Shopping Centre – open from 10am to 4pm.

Times are correct at the time of publishing, and are subject to change.

'Community pharmacists are here to help'

Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “We expect our local NHS services to be busy over the August bank holiday weekend and would encourage local people to choose the NHS service that best meets their needs. If you’re not sure what help you need 111.nhs.uk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can direct you to the right service, including access to mental health support.

“Local community pharmacists are here to help and are able to provide you with expert advice on how to treat many common health conditions such as sore throats and urinary tract infections. They can also give you advice regarding medications or direct you to the right service if you need further support.

“Our Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) are also open during the bank holiday weekend and they can provide fast, convenient and expert care for anyone with a minor injury or illness that is not life/limb threatening.

“We would also remind people who are on repeat medication to ensure that they check that they have enough supplies to get them through the bank holiday weekend, as obviously, despite the bank holiday cover, a number of pharmacies will be closed.”