By Bill Heaney
The sun has got its hat on, well, maybes aye, maybes naw, but he is coming out in the next few days, or so we are told by BBC weather woman Carol Kirkwood and her colleagues.
Over on the other channels, the likes of Lucy Verasamy, pictured here, are telling us it shouldn’t be long before we can get the pails and spades out and venture round the Shore or into lovely Levengrove Park to top up our sun tan.
There will be those amongst us who, despite being told the sun is about to shine, will head for places such as Majorca and Barcelona.
And, of course, Maw, Paw and the Weans will be taking their annual trip Doon the Watter on the PS Waverley.
Despite the not-so summery weather that we have had so far, people are being reminded to be summer ready with their health over the coming months.
NHS 24 is promoting their newest health campaign in advance of the school and summer holidays to ensure the public can effectively treat any minor illnesses or ailments at home.
The campaign also highlights health preparedness and shares information on where to access the right care in the right place should further clinical advice be required.
A summer health campaign page has been published on the health information site NHS inform.
Detailing common conditions such as insect bites and stings, food safety advice for BBQs, and guidance on how to stay safe in the sun, the page is packed with information on how to stay healthy in the warmer months.
Dr Ron Cook is NHS 24’s Medical Director, he explains why we should still be mindful of our health during summer,
“Summer’s longer days and milder weather is a pleasant season for many of us to enjoy time outdoors.
“This is great for our physical and mental health, but it can also present an entirely different set of health issues compared to the colder months.”
NHS 24 is highlighting its digital resources to help people get the health advice they need fast. As well as the handy summer advice page on NHS inform, the NHS 24 Online app is free to download and has helpful symptom checkers which provide guidance for common conditions and illnesses.
Dr Cook added: “The big benefit of using digital resources like NHS inform or the NHS 24 Online app is that they are available at your convenience, 24 hours a day.
“With a couple of quick taps on your phone, tablet, or computer, you can access quality-assured NHS advice that will provide details on how to safely self-manage minor health concerns or how to access the most appropriate service for your needs.
“Whether you have had issues with sunburn or tick bites [as so many people in West Dunbartonshire are because of the killjoy Council’s failure to cut the grass] , or have had to contend with trips, slips, bumps, or bruises – NHS 24 has health info readily available to help you get the summer health advice you need.”
Access NHS 24’s summer health advice by visiting nhsinform.scot/summer