WITH only one in six people in Forth Valley having a well-stocked medicine cabinet, local pharmacies are joining forces this Christmas to ensure that people across Stirling can access emergency supplies.

GP Stuart Cumming was joined by pharmacy staff to reveal the festive period rota, which will see several pharmacies opening at set times on Christmas Day, New Years Day and public holidays.

Dr Cumming said: "Although there will be a pharmacy open in the Stirling area for a short time each day during the festive season, it is still important to ensure that you stock up on the most common remedies.

"Planning ahead can help ensure that coughs, colds and minor ailments don't become a big problem this winter. This is particularly important over Christmas and New Year. If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, check your existing supplies and make sure you have enough to last over the Christmas holiday period. If not, please make sure you collect your repeat prescription before the start of the festive period.

Community Pharmacist, Kenneth Moore, said: "In these colder months, its important for everyone, particularly elderly people, to take a few simple steps so they are prepared if they are unlucky enough to catch a cough or cold.

"Although colds and flu can make you feel ill, pharmacists can often provide the best help and advice on restocking your medicine cabinet. Cold or flu-like illnesses can often be effectively treated at home with readily available medicine.

Other tips on how to stay healthy this winter include knowing when you GP surgery will be closed and seeking general advice are available from www.nhsinform.com It's also important to avoid attending the Emergency Department at Forth Valley Royal Hospital with minor, non urgent health problems as this could divert staff time and resources from seriously ill patients who need them most.

The Minor Injury Unit (MIU) at Stirling Community Hospital, which is open everyday from 9am to 9pm, provides treatment and advice for a wide range of minor injuries. These include suspected broken bones, sprains and strains, cuts and scratches, minor burns and infected wounds. It is able to treat adults and children 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.

The opening times are as follows: * denotes oxygen supplier Sunday 25 December 2011 Lloyds Pharmacy, 39 Bannockburn Road, St. Ninians* 11.00am - 12noon 01786 475967 Monday 26 December 2011 Boots the Chemist, 23 Thistle Centre, Stirling* 9.00am - 6.00pm 01786 462271 Sainsbury Pharmacy, Drip Road, Stirling* 10.00am - 5.00pm 01786 449908 Tuesday 27 December 2011 Boots the Chemist, 23 Thistle Centre, Stirling* 9.00am - 6.00pm 01786 462271 Tesco Pharmacy, Wallace Street, Stirling 9.00am - 6.00pm 01786 427449 Sainsbury Pharmacy, Drip Road, Stirling* 9.00am - 7.00pm 01786 449908 Superdrug Pharmacy, Thistle Centre, Stirling 8.30am - 5.30pm 01786 473548 Lindsay & Gilmour, 5 Firs Entry, Bannockburn 10.00am - 4.00pm 01786 816893 Lindsay & Gilmour, 15 Bannockburn Rd. St. Ninians 10.00am - 4.00pm 01786 472810 Sunday 01 January 2012 Lindsay & Gilmour, 15 Bannockburn Rd. St. Ninians 1.00pm - 2.00pm 01786 472810 Monday 02 January 2012 Boots the Chemist, 23 Thistle Centre, Stirling * 10.00am - 6.00pm 01786 462271 Sainsbury Pharmacy, Drip Road, Stirling 9.00am - 7.00pm 01786 449908 Tuesday 03 January 2012 Boots the Chemist, 23 Thistle Centre, Stirling* 10.00am - 5.00pm 01786 462271 Tesco Pharmacy, Wallace Street, Stirling 9.00am - 6.00pm 01786 427449 Sainsbury Pharmacy, Drip Road, Stirling* 8.00am - 9.00pm 01786 449908 Superdrug Pharmacy, Thistle Centre, Stirling 8.30am - 5.30pm 01786 473548 Lindsay & Gilmour, 5 Firs Entry, Bannockburn 10.00am - 4.00pm 01786 816893 Lindsay & Gilmour, 15 Bannockburn Rd. St. Ninians* 10.00am - 4.00pm 01786 472810