HEALTH professionals across Somerset are reminding people to take care this May Day Bank Holiday and make sure you have a few plasters, antiseptic cream and a bandage to hand.

This May Bank Holiday should be a time for relaxing, so don’t let your DIY injuries, barbeque burns or gardening cuts, stings or bruises have you rushing to Accident and Emergency.

Dr Ed Ford, a Minehead GP and Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group’s chairman, said: “You can help yourself and the NHS by making sure you have some basic items at home to treat common ailments. Having some plasters, a bandage, antiseptic cream and paracetamol in the home is often all you need.

"Avoid traveling to a busy district hospital A&E Department with only minor ailments or injuries.

"Hospital staff will be busy treating the most seriously ill and injured and you may have to wait.

“If you or a family member has a minor illness or ailments then visit your pharmacist. They can help with expert advice and over-the-counter remedies. If you need urgent medical advice but it is not a life threatening emergency then telephone NHS 111.

"Their call handlers can tell you anything from where to find an emergency dentist to getting you an out-of-hour’s doctor.”