WITH Devon’s NHS facing a busy time ahead of the Easter bank holidays, pharmacies are the place for people to go for minor ailments.

GP practices and Accident and Emergency departments are often under even more pressure at this time of year, but pharmacies can take the strain from people with aches and pains, a sore throat, coughs, colds, flu, earache and skin rashes.

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends, people don’t need an appointment, and most pharmacies have a confidential consulting area.

Mark Stone, pharmacist at the Devon Local Pharmaceutical Committee, said that pharmacies should be the first port of call for anyone who has concerns about their health but isn’t quite sure if they need to see a GP.

He added: “Pharmacists are medicines experts who can provide people with knowledge to help them get the best out of their medicines, as well as advice on common health conditions, like coughs, cold, flu, indigestion, headaches and high temperature.

“Some pharmacies offer services for conditions that people would usually see their doctor for and require prescription to have it treated. These include urinary tract infections, bacterial eye infections, mild skin infections and for babies with nappy rash.

Local pharmacy opening hours during the bank holiday weekend can be checked here: https://bit.ly/2ufki0U .

CREDITON PHARMACIES

In Crediton opening times for local pharmacies during the Easter period are as follows:

In Crediton, Boots, at 126 High Street, will be open on Good Friday (March 30) from 9am to 5.30pm, on Easter Saturday from 8.30am to 5pm, and Easter Sunday from 12 noon to 2pm (closed on Easter Monday).

The pharmacy at Tesco (Wellparks) will be open from 7am to 11pm on Good Friday, from 7am to 10pm on Easter Saturday, closed on Easter Sunday and open from 9am to 6pm on Easter Monday.

The Crediton Pharmacy, at 19a High Street will be open on Easter Saturday from 9am to 1pm and closed on all other dates and Lloyds Pharmacy at Chiddenbrook will be closed throughout the Easter period.