With a few simple steps, you can take care of yourself and your family
- Check your repeat prescription, order only what you need, in plenty of time.
- Know how to treat common illnesses at home.
- Visit NHS Inform for health information and advice including common symptoms and self-help guides
- If you need health advice or treatment then find out how to get the right care in the right place, as quickly as possible.
Seasonal Vaccinations
Seasonal vaccines are offered to certain groups. If you’re eligible, you will receive a letter, email or text message with details of your appointment or information on how you can book one. Please wait to be contacted.
More information about vaccines and eligibility is available on our Seasonal Vaccinations section.
If you need to talk to a healthcare professional it’s important that you get the right care in the right place. See the sections below on how to access health information and advice.
View the different sections below for information on:
Infection Prevention
Viruses spread easily, but small everyday actions can make a big difference. Help protect yourself and others by following these key tips:
- Clean your hands often
Regular handwashing or using hand sanitiser helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage those around you to do the same. - Catch coughs and sneezes
Use a tissue, bin it straight away, and clean your hands afterwards. - Stay at home if you’re unwell
Stay home and avoid visiting healthcare settings if you feel unwell or have any symptoms of cold, flu, covid-19, diarrhoea, or vomiting (norovirus). - Keep surfaces clean
Wipe down high‑touch areas such as door handles, light switches and phones to help stop viruses spreading.
Your actions help keep patients, residents, and colleagues safe.
Local Pharmacies
All local pharmacies across Forth Valley offer health consultations and can provide free medication for many common health conditions under the Pharmacy First service. These include coughs, urine infections, conjunctivitis, diarrhoea, indigestion and emergency contraception.
A number of local pharmacists are also able to prescribe free medication, including antibiotics, for a wider range of more complex clinical conditions including chest infections, ear infections, tonsillitis, sinusitis and many other conditions which could avoid the need to visit your GP Practice under the Pharmacy First Plus service.
For more information visit the Your Local Pharmacy section of our Guide to Local Services.
Help When You’re Unwell or Need Health Advice
Visit NHSInform.scot for:
- For health information and advice on a wide range of illnesses and injuries
- Symptom checkers and self-help guides for flu-like illnesses, sore throats and stomach pain, vomiting and headaches
- Support for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and panic attacks
- Details of how to access medication if your supplies have run out
If you are unsure which service is right for you, visit our Guide to Local Services for details of local services or phone the NHS Inform helpline on 0800 22 44 88 (Mon – Fri from 9.00am to 5.00pm)
Minor Injuries, Illnesses or Urgent Health Advice
Call NHS 24 first on 111 if:
- Think you need to attend A&E but it is not something life threatening
- Have a minor injury such as a suspected broken bone, a sprain, a cut that needs stitches or a minor burn
- Need urgent care, and your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed, and you are too ill to wait until it reopens
- Need support with mental health distress
NHS 24 staff will help you get the right care in the right place, often closer to home and without the need to go to A&E. This may include a phone or video consultation with a healthcare professional or an appointment at a local healthcare facility, so you don’t have to wait to be seen.
If it’s a life-threatening emergency, you should phone 999 or go directly to A&E.
Dental Practices
If you’re experiencing dental problems such as tooth pain, swollen or bleeding gums, or an injury to your mouth contact your local dental practice for advice.
If you’re not registered with a dentist, contact the NHS Forth Valley Dental Helpline on 01324 614670 (Monday to Friday, 08.00-16.30), visit NHS inform or for dental emergencies call NHS 24 on 111.
For more information visit the Dental Service section of our Guide to Local Services.
Opticians
If you’re experiencing eye problems such as a red or sticky eye, blurred vision, or flashes and floaters, please contact your local optometrist.
They have the training and specialist equipment to assess and treat a wide range of eye problems and can refer you direct to hospital if the problem is more serious.
For more information visit the Eye Problems section of our Guide to Local Services or visit NHS Inform for advice on common eye problems.
Mental Health Advice & Support
For mental health information and support visit NHS Inform or see our Mental Health & Wellbeing section.
You can also call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 (Monday – Thursday 6.00pm to 2.00am and weekends Friday 6.00pm to Monday 6.00am).
If you need urgent mental health support, you can visit NHS Inform , contact your GP Practice Team or call NHS 24 on 111.
GP Practice Teams
GP Practices across Scotland are dealing with very high levels of demand and are working hard to prioritise appointments for patients who need to be seen urgently. However, you can also see a wider range of healthcare professionals at your GP Practice, including physiotherapists, mental health workers and Advanced Nurse Practitioners so you might not always need to see a GP.
For more information visit the GP Practice Team section of our Guide to Local Services.
Emergency Department
Only go to A&E if you need urgent medical care for a critical emergency such as a suspected heart attack, stroke or excessive bleeding. If your condition isn’t life-threatening, you should call NHS 24 free on 111, day or night, to access the right care.
If it’s a life-threatening emergency, you should phone 999 or go directly to A&E.