Doctors and nurses are urging local people to add health into their list of spring clean jobs this Easter.

Staff at Hywel Dda University Health Board are reminding people of the need to think early about repeat prescriptions, and opening hours of GP surgeries and community pharmacies as we approach the Easter Holidays.

And choosing well when you need health advice or support - by using NHS Direct or visiting your pharmacy - can have a hugely positive impact on busy Emergency Departments during peak holiday periods.

Mr Jeremy Williams, A&E consultant and clinical lead for unscheduled care, said: “The best way the public can help our frontline staff, and ensure that they and their families can be seen quickly, is to use other health services and reserve our Emergency Departments for serious or life-threatening situations.

“Ultimately this helps us to save lives.”

The Choose Well guidance can also help people choose the right health service to best meet their individual needs – and to ensure emergency services are there for when we need them most.

Some community pharmacies offer a Triage and Treat service to help if you have had a low-level injury and will save you a visit to a doctor or a hospital accident and emergency department.

The types of injuries that can be treated in the pharmacy under this service without an appointment are minor abrasions, superficial cuts and wounds, sprains and strains, eye complaints such as sand in the eye, removal of items from the skin such as a splinter or shell and minor burns.

There are also now six Pharmacy Walk-In Centres located throughout Hywel Dda offering a range of enhanced services.

You can find out more information from the website, where a free mobile phone app is available, which provides a GPS facility to locate the nearest services to you, as well as information leaflets with local contact numbers www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/choosewell

You can also print out this handy list of local pharmacy opening times over the Bank Holidays www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/46867

GPs advise that you get repeat prescriptions in as early as possible to avoid any delay.

If you are unwell and need to contact a GP out of hours or NHS Direct Wales dial 111.

If you need any urgent dental care over the Easter period you can contact your dental practice to access advice and care. If you do not have access to a dental practice, please contact NHS Direct on 111 where an appointment can be arranged for you if required.

For urgent social care out of hours, contact Carmarthenshire on 01558 824283, Ceredigion on 0845 6015392 and Pembrokeshire on 08708 509508.

If you are worried about the way you are feeling or behaving, or you are struggling to manage on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Speak to your GP or ring the C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline on 0800 132 737, text ‘help’ to 81066 or visit callhelpline.org.uk

In an emergency, life threatening situation, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If you need treatment that cannot wait but is not an emergency and you don’t know where to go, contact NHS Direct Wales on 111.