RESIDENTS in Dorset are being urged to be prepared and make the right choices regarding medical treatment this bank holiday weekend.

Clinicians across the county are trying to get a message out to people as getting the right care in the right place can help them get seen quicker and ease pressure on local emergency departments, which often see an increase in demand.

Ways to get help include calling the NHS 111 number for advice and medical help when it is not a life threatening situation as well as GP routine care, GP urgent care or minor injury units and local pharmacies.

A spokesman for the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: "Getting organised and thinking ahead can also help.

"Stock up your medicine cabinet, so that you have self-help medicines such as a first aid kit, paracetamol and a thermometer, in case you need them whilst the pharmacies are closed.

"Your pharmacist will be able to advise you on what to keep in the house.

"If you have a regular prescription, make sure you have enough to last over the bank holiday and until your GP surgery opens again.

"Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about whether you can get extra quantities to last you over the break."

Some GPs in the county are holding additional sessions for people unable to use their normal practice.

Dr Lionel Cartwright, from the Harvey Practice in Broadstone, said “It is quite normal that over the long weekends health services see an increase in demand for a number of reasons.

"To help manage this demand and enable those people in most need get the help they require, our practice will be running a number of extra clinics for people who are taken ill but maybe cannot get to see their own GP.

"Anyone who is registered with a Dorset practice is welcome to attend, however we would ask that people call in advance and don’t just turn up.

"It is important that anyone who is seeking medical help over the weekend is aware of the different places they can get it including local pharmacies, minor injury units, walk in centres or by calling 111 in the first instance if they are not sure who to talk to”.

For more information visit staywelldorset.nhs.uk