Residents of Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to check who to turn to if they need advice or support to cope with any common health concerns this holiday weekend.

GP practices will be closed on Monday, May 6, and while some community pharmacies will remain open, others will be shut.

Pharmacists can answer questions on choosing and using the right medicine and provide easy-to-understand advice on treating everyday ailments.

NHS 24 also has a number of pharmacists who are able to answer medicine and pharmacy-related questions over the telephone on 111.

In addition, NHS inform has valuable advice on how to prepare at www.nhsinform.scot.

Roisin Kavanagh, cirector of pharmacy, explained: “You can do a number of things to make sure you are prepared to deal with common illnesses over the bank holiday.

"Have a sufficient supply of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat and cough remedies will help to relieve the symptoms of common ailments.

“If you take regular medication, you should check your existing supplies and only order what you need to see you through the holiday weekend.

"It is also a good idea to make sure you know when your local GP practice and community pharmacy are closed.

"Please also take into consideration the time required by your local GP Practice and community pharmacy for processing prescription requests as this can add up to seven days”.

On Monday, May 6, all pharmacies will be closed, except for the following.

East Ayrshire:

  • Fenwick Pharmacy, 77 Main Road, Fenwick, open 12noon – 4pm
  • Boots, 62/70 King Street, Kilmarnock, open 12noon - 4pm
  • Well Pharmacy, 1/5 Loudon Street, Mauchline, open 9am-1pm & 2pm – 6pm
  • Right Medicine Pharmacy, 90 Main Street, Ochiltree, open 9am – 1pm & 2pm – 5.30pm

North Ayrshire:

  • Arran Pharmacy, Brodick, open 9am – 1pm
  • Well Pharmacy, 18/20 Main Street, Beith, open 9am – 6pm
  • Boots, 1 Fullarton Square, Irvine, open 11am – 5pm
  • Superdrug, 6B Aitken Street, Largs, open 9am – 5.30pm
  • Halliday Pharmacy, 5 Aitken Street, Largs, open 8.30am – 4pm
  • Cumbrae Pharmacy, 30 Stuart Street, Millport, open 9am – 1pm & 1.30pm -5.30pm

South Ayrshire:

  • Boots , 168/170 High Street, Ayr, open 12noon – 4pm
  • Well Pharmacy, 10/12 Sandgate, Ayr, open 8.30am – 5.30pm