AN EXTRA long Christmas break gives you more time to celebrate, but NHS Direct is warning people to be prepared for their doctors to be on holiday too.
Last year the telephone medical service received double its normal number of calls in the days after Christmas.
A spokesman said: "Last year we received over 28,000 calls on Boxing Day and 30,000 the day after that."
With planning and advice, people can handle a minor crisis with confidence.
- Stock up your first aid kit with painkillers and remember repeat prescriptions.
- Drink lots of fluids, take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you have cold or flu-like symptoms. If someone has got several cold and flu symptoms and is also suffering from a stiff neck and complaining of light hurting their eyes then call NHS Direct.
- For hangovers take paracetamol for the headache and drink lots of fluids.
- Overeating can cause indigestion a liquid antacid will relieve the symptoms. Don't use if you know the patient has an ulcer.
- Visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for more details
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