“Summer is great opportunity to spend some quality time with our friends and family outdoors and in hopefully nicer weather,” – John McAnaw, Associate Clinical Director, and Head of Pharmacy at NHS 24.

NHS 24, Scotland’s provider of digital and telephone-based health and care services, is launching its latest health campaign which aims to promote essential health advice to the public during the hotter months. The summer health campaign covers the most common seasonal conditions and will educate the people of Scotland in how to have a safe and healthy summer season.

A comprehensive digital campaign page has been hosted on Scotland’s online health information service; NHS inform. Covering a variety of seasonal topics including sun safety, bites and stings, and common outdoor health hazards, all information is presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand format, allowing individuals to educate themselves and take appropriate measures to prevent and treat common summer ailments.

NHS 24 health tips for the public this summer include:

• Visit NHS inform or download the NHS 24 Online app for quick, accurate and trusted health advice
• Keep some remedies at home to help with summer illnesses and injuries such as bites and stings, sunburn, or hay fever
• Remember to take repeat prescription medicines when travelling away from home, even if it’s only for one or two nights

NHS 24 will also be using social media to highlight seasonal specific health concerns such as sunburn, dehydration, hay fever and tick bites.

John McAnaw, Associate Clinical Director, and Head of Pharmacy at NHS 24 explained:

“Summer is great opportunity to spend some quality time with our friends and family outdoors and in hopefully nicer weather.

“However, it can also turn into a busy time for NHS 24 as many people turn to the 111 service to get health advice for common summer illnesses and conditions.

“Fun activities such as spending time in the garden, taking a long walk in the countryside, or even having a BBQ, all have their own hazards. We have therefore put together resources on NHS inform to make it quick and easy for the public to get the summer health advice they need with one quick click.

“We are encouraging everyone to take the time to be familiar with our summer health tips and digital resources such as NHS inform and the NHS 24 Online app. By being well-informed about how to treat and manage summer health conditions we hope more people in Scotland will be able to enjoy a safe and enjoyable sunny season.”

Most schools in Scotland will break up for the six-week summer holiday at the end of June. NHS 24’s summer health campaign activity is scheduled to cover the duration of the holiday period.

Explore NHS 24’s summer health tips by visiting: nhsinform.scot/summer