Prepare for New Year Health Needs in Ayrshire and Arran
with GP practices closed on thursday 1 January 2026 and Friday 2 January 2026, residents of Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to plan ahead for any common health concerns.
Some community pharmacies will remain open during this period, offering advice on choosing and using medicines, and providing guidance on treating everyday ailments. Further data on accessing healthcare services is available on the Winter health Hub: https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/prepare-for-winter/.
NHS 24 also has pharmacists available to answer medicine-related questions on 111.
Roisin Kavanagh, Director of Pharmacy, advises: “Be prepared for common illnesses over the New Year by ensuring you have sufficient supplies of medicines like paracetamol, sore throat remedies, and cough medicines. If you take regular medication, check your supplies and order only what you need, allowing up to seven days for processing by your GP practise and pharmacy. Also, be aware of your local GP practice and pharmacy closure times.”
Under the Pharmacy First service,pharmacies can:
* Prescribe medication following a consultation*
* Treat women aged 16+ for urinary tract infections*
* Treat patients for impetigo*
* Treat patients over 18 for skin infections including infected insect bites*
* Treat patients over 18 for shingles*
(*where they meet certain criteria)
Many community pharmacies also:
* Provide repeat prescriptions when your GP is unavailable (under certain circumstances)
* Offer advice and emergency hormonal contraception to women
* Dispense prescriptions
* Provide advice and prescribe nicotine replacement therapy for those quitting smoking
* Maintain records of your medicines for safety checks
* Offer a private space for sensitive discussions
* Provide telephone advice
* Advise on the best way to take your medicines
* Offer travel health advice
* Provide prescription collection and delivery services.
Okay,hear’s a revised and fact-checked version of the pharmacy opening hours for January 1st and 2nd,2026,based on the provided text and supplemented with a search to confirm accuracy and provide context.I will prioritize accuracy and clarity.
Pharmacy Opening Hours – New Year public Holidays 2026
This information details the pharmacy opening hours for North, East, and South Ayrshire during the New Year public holidays, January 1st and January 2nd, 2026. All other pharmacies will be closed during these times.
Thursday 1 January 2026
* East Ayrshire:
* Boots Pharmacy, 63 Grange Street, Kilmarnock – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
* Bellfield Pharmacy, 79 Whatriggs road, Kilmarnock – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
* North Ayrshire:
* Gallaghers Pharmacy, 6 Central Avenue, Ardrossan – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon)
* Boots Pharmacy, 9a Frew Terrace, Irvine – 12:00 PM (Noon) to 2:00 PM
* South Ayrshire:
* Boots Pharmacy, 99 New Road, Ayr – 12:00 PM (Noon) to 2:00 PM
* Toll Pharmacy, 153 Ayr Road, Prestwick – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Friday 2 January 2026
* East Ayrshire:
* Boots Pharmacy, 62/70 King Street, Kilmarnock – 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
* Kilmaurs Pharmacy, 5 Main Street, Kilmaurs – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
* North Ayrshire:
* penmans Pharmacy, 2 eglinton Street, Beith – 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
* Rowlands Pharmacy, 28/30 New Street, Stevenston – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (Noon)
* Boots Pharmacy, 9 Lower Vennel, Irvine – 12:00 PM (Noon) to 2:00 PM
* South Ayrshire:
* Morrisons Pharmacy, Castlehill Road, Ayr – 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
* Willis Pharmacy, 15 Templehill, Troon – 12:00 PM (Noon) to 2:00 PM
* Boots Pharmacy, 168/170 High Street, Ayr – 12:00 PM (Noon) to 4:00 PM
* Wellington Square Pharmacy, 26 Wellington Square, Ayr – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Vital Notes:
* This information is based on current plans as of December 19, 2025, and is subject to change.
* It is indeed always advisable to contact the pharmacy directly to confirm opening hours, especially during public holidays.
* The listed pharmacies are the only ones expected to be open during these times within their respective council areas.
disclaimer: I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. Though, pharmacy opening hours can change unexpectedly. Please verify directly with the pharmacy before making a special trip.
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