The dedicated staff at NHS 24’s contact centre in Clydebank will be working for the national telehealth service over Easter to ensure that out-of-hours care is available to those who need it when their doctors’ surgeries are closed.

The comprehensive health advice line — which includes nurse advisors, dental health, pharmacy and mental health advisors among its specialist staff — is preparing to receive thousands of calls from patients across Scotland this Easter.

Call handler Cristiana Theodoli (pictured) will be working at NHS 24’s Clydebank contact centre working over Easter.

The 27-year-old said: “Doing simple things like being aware of when your GP surgery is open over the Easter holiday weekend, as well as when local pharmacies are open and which ones are open out of hours. It is also important to make sure that if you take regular medication, you have enough prescription to last over the Easter holiday.” Professor George Crooks, medical director at NHS 24, added: “Easter is one of the busiest times of the year for the NHS in Scotland and we expect to be busy taking calls from patients in need at our centre in Clydebank during the holiday break.” For more information go to www.nhsinform.co.uk.