The NHS is encouraging people to plan their healthcare during the festive season.

With advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them, visiting the pharmacist can save you time in the waiting room and help you feel better fast.

Dr Kiran Patel, Medical Director at NHS England, (Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country), said: “Your local pharmacy can help you with more than you might think. Pharmacists offer expert, confidential advice and treatment for many minor health problems.”

Many pharmacies will remain open over the Christmas holidays, when other services are often unavailable.

“As most GP surgeries will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day we would also encourage patients to order any medication they need in plenty of time so they have a good supply during the festive period,” added Dr Patel.

Pharmacy opening hours in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country can be found on the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) along with information on walk-in centres, urgent care centres or minor injuries units. Patients can type in their postcode on the website to find their nearest services.

Pharmacy opening hours over the Christmas holidays are as follows.

Christmas Day:

Milan Crescent 137 Halesowen Road Netherton DY2 9PY 01384 254171 9-12noon.

Hawne Chemist 177 Stourbridge Road Halesowen B63 3UD 0121 501 3518 12-3pm.

Lye Pharmacy 37 High St Lye Stourbridge DY9 8LF 01384 422001 3pm-6pm.

Dispharma 5 Bean Road Dudley DY2 8TH 01384 239841 6pm-9pm.

Murrays Pharmacy 232 Halesowen Road Cradley Heath B64 6HN 01384 635407 12-3pm.

Boxing Day:

Asda Stores Ltd Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QL 01384 265001 9-5pm.

Asda Stores Ltd Cornbow Shopping Centre Queensway Mall Queensway Halesowen B63 4AB 0121 504 4210 9-6pm.

Boots UK Ltd Unit 3, Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QT 01384 74177 8-6pm.

Boots UK Ltd 5 Ryemarket Stourbridge DY8 1HJ 01384 375325 10-4pm.

Sainsbury's Instore Pharmacy J Sainsbury Store Withymoor Village Sandringham Way Brierley Hill DY5 3JR 01384 263852 10-5pm.

Sainsbury's Instore Pharmacy J Sainsbury Store Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QY 01384 482740 10-5pm.

New Year's Day:

Asda Stores Ltd Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QL 01384 265001 10-4pm.

Boots Uk Ltd Unit 3, Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QT 01384 74177 10-6pm.

Sainsbury's Instore Pharmacy J Sainsbury Store Merry Hill Centre Brierley Hill , Dudley DY5 1QY 01384 482740 10-5pm.

Sainsbury's Instore Pharmacy J Sainsbury Store Withymoor Village Sandringham Way Brierley Hill DY5 3JR 01384 263852 10-5pm.

Dispharma, 5 Bean Rd Dudley DY2 8TH 01384 239841 6pm-9pm.

Sainsburys Supermarkets Limited J Sainsbury Superstore Halesowen Street Rowley Regis B65 0HF 0121 561 3775 10-5pm