Accessing Medical Care While Visiting Islay

I’ve developed COVID-19 symptoms while here on holiday - what should I do?

See our COVID-19 page for current guidance. If you are unwell with Covid-19 and require medical attention, please either contact the nearest surgery to where you are staying, or call NHS 24 on 111.

How do I access medical care when I’m on Islay?

If you require non-urgent medical advice, telephone NHS 24 on 111 at any time. To see or speak to a doctor about an URGENT medical problem (i.e. something that cannot wait til you get home), contact your nearest surgery branch during working hours (8am to 6pm) or call NHS24 who will triage your call and get you the assistance you require. The reception team will ask what your request is regarding - this is so that we can direct you to the most appropriate place and person to deal with your problem. Please provide as much information as you are able in order to help us facilitate this.

In case of medical emergency, call 999

I’m here on holiday and I’ve forgotten/lost/run out of my regular medication, what can I do?

First point of contact would be Islay Pharmacy, open Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm and Saturday 8am - 1pm (closed Tues from 1pm). They will be able to issue a short supply of your usual medication . If you live in Scotland, you can contact your normal surgery who will be able to issue a prescription and have it dispensed from Islay Pharmacy. The pharmacy can supply medication for all visitors from the UK and the EU, not just those from Scotland. If they require any input from the surgeries, the pharmacy will contact the surgery directly on your behalf. Please do not come to Islay Hospital or Accident and Emergency regarding medication supplies as we do not keep stock of spare medications for this purpose.

I have sustained a minor injury - where should I go?

If not life-threatening, telephone NHS24 on 111, or you can attend our Emergency Department in Islay Hospital, Bowmore where our nursing team will provide an initial assessment and deal with things from there.

I’ve/my child has got a tick bite - how do I manage this?

You can safely remove ticks yourself with a tick tool (available at Islay Pharmacy, at Islay Vet or online) or a clean pair of tweezers. Here is a video demonstrating how this can be done. There is also a very useful information leaflet here with more information regarding tick bites and what to look out for - ticks are extremely common on Islay, especially in summer, and very rarely require any further action once the tick is removed - we do not give automatic antibiotics for all tick bites. Please DO NOT attend A&E with tick bites/for ticks to be removed - this is not an emergency.

I just need some advice about how to look after a health condition myself

See our self help page for lots of useful links to advice regarding many health conditions, both physical and mental.