THE NHS has launched a winter campaign reminding people to ensure they have the right care and prescriptions ahead of the Christmas holidays.

NHS Forth Valley is gearing up for its toughest winter yet, with their Right Care in the Right Place campaign informing people of closures in the festive period.

The health board confirmed that GP practices will operate as normal until Friday, December 22 and then will close for two days spanning Monday and Tuesday, December 25 and 26.

They will reopen on Wednesday, December 27 and will follow the same pattern the next week for Hogmanay.

NHS Forth Valley urges anyone who takes a regular prescription to ensure they have enough to last them during closures.

A range of local pharmacies will remain open throughout the public holidays. For Clacks residents, there will be no pharmacies open on Christmas day, with the nearest being Right Medicine in Bridge of Allan, which will open for one hour between 11am-12pm.

Lindsay & Gilmour in Sauchie will be open for one hour on Boxing Day, between 10am-11am. On New Year’s Day, Davidsons Chemist in Clackmannan and T A Mack in Tillicoultry will open between 11am-12pm.

There will not be any Clacks pharmacies open on January 2, with the nearest being Boots the Chemist in the Thistle Centre in Stirling. This will be open from 9am-5.30pm.

Stirling’s Minor Injuries Unit will remain open every day over the festive period, to treat adults and children over the age of one for a range of minor ailments.

Andrew Murray, medical director at NHS Forth Valley, said: “Winter is always a very busy time for the NHS and we are seeing exceptionally high levels of demand across local hospital, community and primary care services as well as local social care services.

“However, local people can get health care advice by visiting NHS Inform, calling their national helpline or checking the Winter Zone on our website for details of local services and support.

“This will help ensure you get the right care in the right place, as quickly as possible.”

For more info, visit nhsforthvalley.com/winter.