FOR many people, Christmas is a time for family get-togethers, exchanging gifts around the tree and tucking into a traditional roast dinner.
But the dedicated staff at NHS 24's contact centre in Falkirk, like many other people within the health and emergency services throughout Scotland, will be working during the holiday break.
Around half a dozen nurses are based within NHS 24's local centre at Falkirk Royal Infirmary, which was established in January. They work alongside the Forth Valley out-of-hours service and minor injuries unit to ensure that out-of-hours care is available to those who need it when their own doctors' surgeries are closed.
The comprehensive health advice line - which includes call handlers, dental nurses, pharmacy advisors and mental health advisors among its specialist staff - is preparing to receive thousands of calls from patients across Scotland this Christmas and New Year. Last year, NHS 24 received almost 77,000 calls over the eight-day festive holiday period when GP surgeries were closed.
NHS 24 Nurse Advisor Janice Park will be one of the nurses working at Falkirk over the festive break. The 44 year old from Polmont joined the national health helpline last year. With 16 years experience of working as a nurse within Accident and Emergency, she is used to working over the busy Christmas and New Year period.
She said: "This will be my first year working for NHS 24 at Christmas and New Year and I would expect it to be very busy. This year, we are already seeing flu outbreaks and people are calling the service for advice.
"The service is already experiencing increased demand as a result of the current H1N1 situation. People are more aware of the service and I would expect this to continue over Christmas and New Year."
NHS 24 is working closely with all Scottish Health Boards as part of a national NHSScotland campaign encouraging Scots, particularly parents and older people, to be prepared for the winter period and advises how they can look after themselves if they catch a cough or cold.
As a mother of one, Janice is well aware of the common winter bugs that can affect many people, especially children, at this time of year. She would advise people to prepare ahead for the festive period:
"I would urge people to be prepared for the winter period by stocking up their medicine cabinets and having access to things like paracetamol and medication for allergic reactions. People can also make sure they top up their regular prescriptions from their GP so they don't run out when they are closed at Christmas and New Year.
"A local pharmacist can also recommend the most appropriate treatment and medicines for a wide range of minor ailments or illnesses, for coughs, colds, sore throats, to allergies and headaches.
"I would also remind people to take extra care to follow good hygiene measures, including food hygiene because we do deal with a lot of cases of food poisoning over Christmas and New Year with people not cooking their food properly."
Although many GPs will be working during the festive period supporting out of hours services across Scotland, GP surgeries will be closed for four days over Christmas (December 25 to 28) and for four days over New Year (January 1 to 4).
NHS 24 Medical Director Dr George Crooks added: "NHS 24's local centre at Falkirk Royal Infirmary means that patients speak to a nurse based in Forth Valley with knowledge of the local area wherever possible. Our nurses will be working with local health services throughout the festive period to continue to deliver out-of-hours healthcare to people in the local area.
"For many of our callers, we will be offering self-care advice - so making sure you are prepared in advance should help many people enjoy the break.
"Finally, we would also remind people that they have a huge range of quality self care advice at their fingertips at www.nhs24.com or by calling the NHS Helpline on 0800 22 44 88."
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