As families across Kent and Medway prepare for the school summer break, the NHS is encouraging parents and carers to know where to go for health help.
The school holidays can be a busy time for the NHS and it’s important to choose the right service for you and your children.
Choosing the right service
If you or your children are not well, get advice from your pharmacist at the first sign of feeling ill – don’t wait for it to get more serious.
You can get instant advice and prescription medication for seven common conditions without seeing a GP. Find more information about Pharmacy First and use our map to find your nearest pharmacy.
You can visit an urgent treatment centre if you have a suspected broken bone or fracture, a sprain or a strain, minor cut, burn or scald. Find your nearest centre on our website.
If the weather is hot, stay in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30, a hat and light clothes.
Catch-up on missed vaccines
Make sure your child is protected against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
Please check your child’s Red Book to see if they have missed any vaccines or check with their GP if you are unsure. Children will need both doses of the MMR vaccine to be protected.
Children can also get their MMR vaccine and catch-up on other missed vaccinations at community clinics. Find more information at www.GetVaccinatedNow.co.uk
Dr Kate Langford, chief medical officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “If you have planned a trip away this summer, make sure you pick up any prescription medications that you need in advance and take these with you.
“Parents can download our handy guide for five to 11-year-olds, which has useful information about health services, vaccinations, advice on common childhood health problems and items you should have at home.”
Find information about NHS services for children and download the toolkit at www.StopThinkChoose.co.uk
