Everyone’s hoping for a happy, healthy and safe festive season here in Bannockburn - but just in case, we’ve put together all the information you need about doctors, pharmacies and local council services over the Christmas and New Year period.

 Medical

Your local GP practice will be closed for four days over Christmas (Saturday, December 24 to Tuesday, December 27) and for four days over New Year (Saturday, December 31 to Tuesday, January 3)

It will open as normal in the week beginning Monday, January 9.

To find your nearest GP practices, dentists, opticians and pharmacies, click here then click on Bannockburn.

NHS Forth Valley is gearing up to cope with extra demands over the festive season and is urging the public to make use of local GP, pharmacy and minor injuries services to avoid putting extra pressure on the Emergency Department at this busy time of year.

More medical and nursing staff, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will be working around the clock and additional GP time is also being secured to support the GP out-of-hours service.

Arrangements are also in place to bring in extra support should it be required.
The Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) at Stirling Community Hospital will remain open every day throughout the festive period from 9am to 9pm.

It provides treatment for a wide range of injuries, such as suspected broken bones, sprains, minor burns and infected wounds.

No appointment is necessary and, while the MIU is based in Stirling, it can be used by any patient from across Forth Valley over the age of one.

Children under the age of one with a minor injury should be taken to the Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital.

NHS Forth Valley’s general manager for Medicine, Emergency Care and Rehabilitation, Ian Aitken, said: “Winter is a very busy time for the NHS and it’s important to remember that the Emergency Department is for people who have serious illnesses or injuries which require urgent care.

“Many people arrive at the Emergency Department with minor injuries that could be treated at the Minor Injuries Unit in less than half the time or with minor illnesses that could easily be dealt with by their GP or pharmacist.”

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this winter can be found here or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

Support is also available for  people with mental health or psychological problems by phoning NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24, Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or Breathing Space on 0800 83 8587 (6 pm to 2am).  

Travel/services

For the latest travel and facility disruptions, as well as weather updates, click here.

Refuse collection and recycling

Waste and recycling collections after Christmas and New Year will run one day late due to public holidays for the week commencing Monday, December 26 and week commencing Monday, January 2.

For these two weeks, all residents will receive their refuse and recycling collection but they will be collected one day later than normal.
All Household Waste Recycling Centres (Lower Polmaise, Balfron and Callander) will be closed on December 25 and 26 and January 1and 2.

Schools

All schools stop for two week’s Christmas holiday on Friday, December 23 and will return on Friday, January 6.

Pets

The Cats Protection shelter for Clackmannanshire and Stirling will be closed and unable to rehome any cats over the festive season.

In the meantime, a spokesperson for Cats Protection has urged people that if there is any kitty emergencies, to contact their local vet or the SSPCA.

To view Cats Protection’s advice leaflet Christmas and your Cat, click here. 

Bandeath Shelter would like to remind locals that animals should not be given as Christmas gifts.

The council’s kennel keeper, Anne Vines, said: “It’s a very sad fact that every year too many dogs end up back at Bandeath as unwanted gifts so we have stopped selling dogs in the run up to Christmas.”

She also advised that owners take extra care of their dogs during the festive season, adding: “Dogs should not be left for prolonged periods and owners should be aware that there may be fireworks during the holidays, especially around New Year.

“Owners of dogs with a nervous nature are advised to consult their vet for advice."

The Shelter will be open over Christmas and New Year only for the collection of lost dogs as follows:

• Christmas Day, 9am – 11am
• Boxing Day,  9am – 11am
• New Year’s Day,  9am – 11am
• January 2, 9am – 11am

Bandeath’s telephone number is 01786 812908. Lost dogs should also be reported to the police. 

During the rest of the festive period the shelter will operate normal opening hours of 9am – 12pm and 1pm – 4pm, Monday to Friday; and 9am – 12 noon on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year from everyone here at s1!

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