THE NHS in Devon is preparing for the start of the holiday season, as the first of many visitors start to arrive for the Easter weekend.

Visitors and local people are being encouraged to make best use of health services, especially as the Easter bank holiday weekend is a four-day break from Good Friday on April 18 to Easter Monday April 21.

The message is that urgent and emergency health care will be there, but please choose the right service.

Ahead of the Easter weekend, the advice is to: make sure you have ordered and collected any repeat medicines, especially if you are travelling.

Continue to call 999 in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk

Go to NHS 111 online if you need medical help or advice, or you are unsure about whether you should go to hospital; you can also phone 111

Play your part by taking simple steps to look after yourselves and loved ones, checking in on vulnerable family members and neighbours. A first step is making sure your medicine cabinet is well-stocked

Make use of community pharmacies, which can advise on minor illnesses and provide medications.

If you, or someone you know, experiences a mental health crisis you can access support from 111.

Visitors to Devon are also reminded that their first port of call for GP care is their home practice, which will be able to provide online, phone and video consultations as well as arranging for prescriptions to be sent to any pharmacy you choose.

Dr Peter Collins, Chief Medical Officer for NHS Devon, said: ‘The Easter bank holiday marks a time when we see an increase in visitors to the county as our health services recover from winter a busy winter.

‘We can all support the many dedicated individuals working over the holiday period by making simple preparations and knowing which services to access for help if we need it.’