Isle of Wight pharmacy opening times for the late May bank holiday weekend

Seven pharmacies across the Isle of Wight will be open and here to help you this late May bank holiday weekend (Saturday 27 – Monday 29 May 2023).

The pharmacies open on bank holiday Monday 29 May are listed below or can be viewed on a map.

Dr Tim Cooper, Chief Medical Officer for Primary and Local Care for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “As we look forward to another bank holiday weekend, a reminder that local pharmacists can provide expert advice on medication as well as many common illnesses and injuries.

Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals, with five years training, and can help with advice on tummy troubles, managing fevers, sprains and strains, sore throats and hay fever. If you or a member of your family need support this bank holiday weekend and aren’t sure where to go, pharmacists can often help or advise you if you should contact NHS 111 for further medical advice or treatment.

You can also contact NHS 111 online 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 111.nhs.uk and the team can find the right support for you, including access to mental health support.”

Dr Cooper added: “Ahead of the bank holiday, please also ensure you have enough of any regular prescription medication you may need while your GP practice is closed on Monday.”

All pharmacies provide the following services:

• dispensing of NHS prescriptions
• access to the repeat prescription service (with agreement from your GP)
• an emergency supply of medicine, subject to the decision of the pharmacist (you may need to pay for an emergency supply)
• non-prescription medicines like paracetamol
• disposal of unwanted or out-of-date medicines
• advice on treating minor health concerns and healthy living.

Pharmacy technicians can help with things like:

• inhaler technique
• how to take a medicine safely
• helping you understand the correct dose of a new medicine and how often you need to take it.

Pharmacies can give treatment advice about a range of common conditions and minor injuries, such as:

• aches and pains
• sore throat
• coughs
• colds
• flu
• earache
• cystitis
• skin rashes
• teething
• red eye.

Other services that may be available at your local pharmacy:

• you may be referred to a pharmacist for advice after contacting NHS 111 or a GP
• emergency contraception
• asthma inhaler use and advice
• chlamydia screening and treatment
• stop smoking service
• blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar testing
• substance misuse service, including needle and syringe exchange schemes
• weight management service
• flu vaccination.

Details are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to change, so you are advised to contact the pharmacy before attending to ensure they are open and have the medication you need.