WHAT can you do if you need a pharmacy over Christmas and New Year?

There will be some pharmacies open on the big day itself, and the full list of opening times will be published in the County Press, in the information pages, for the next two weeks.

There is also a useful website where you can see all the opening times, at isleofwightccg.nhs.uk/health-and-services/health-and-services.htm.

Speaking on behalf of the local NHS, Dr Michele Legg, clinical chair at the Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said: "Pharmacy opening hours often change over Christmas and New Year due to public holidays.

"If you, or someone you live with, runs out of medication, becomes unwell or has a minor injury, knowing which pharmacies are open means you can get the right medical assistance as soon as possible, without wasting precious time travelling around."

On Christmas Day, there are four pharmacies open on the Isle of Wight.

These are Seaview Pharmacy (9am-11am), Yarmouth Pharmacy (10.30am-12.30pm), Boots in Shanklin (3pm-5pm) and Day Lewis on Newport High Street (3pm-5pm).

On Boxing Day, there are four pharmacies open, all from 10am to 4pm. These are Boots in Newport, Ryde and Ventnor, and Sainsburys in Newport.

On New Year's Day, there are three pharmacies open. They are Yarmouth Pharmacy (9am-5pm), Sainsburys in Newport (10am-4pm), and Boots in Newport (10am-4pm).

If you rely on repeat prescriptions it is best to arrange them as early as possible to ensure that you have enough medication to last over the Christmas break. The deadline for orders is this Friday, December 14, to receive your medication before Christmas.

The NHS recommends that all homes have a well-stocked self-care kit, to help treat minor ailments. There are suggestions on what to keep in your kit at www.nhs.uk/livewell/pharmacy/pages/yourmedicinecabinet.aspx.

Call 111 for advice and support, and only attend Accident & Emergency or call 999 in a genuine emergency.