Longtime Beauty Bible readers will know that for the last three decades I have written much the same thing before every Christmas, reminding everyone to do a little bit of health planning and checking. No apologies! It’s a bit like taking an umbrella in case it rains – it probably won’t but it’s absolutely worth prepping just in case.

This year, though, I want to highlight the absolute necessity of getting essential prescription drugs early – like now, if you haven’t done it already. An NHS computer crash a couple of months ago resulted in a massive backlog of prescriptions to be processed. And the lead up to the Christmas holiday can only get worse. So please, get on it…

If something goes wrong – which happened to us one year with an Aussie visitor who forgot the drugs for his heart condition – you should be able to get emergency supplies from a pharmacy. Which leads me on to…

Your nearest pharmacy and hospital Do check these out, just in case. But please remember that ambulance and emergency services are stretched already, often beyond capacity, so if you can manage with less serious problems at home it will allow them to look after people who really need rapid attention.

NHS emergency contact Visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111, which is available 24/7. (There is provision for people who are deaf so do check out the NHS 111 British Sign Language service available in your country, here.)

And now for essential first aid:

First Aid Kit Make sure it has all the products you might need, including burn gel (very important for the cooks of the household). If you haven’t already got a kit in the cupboard (and don’t forget to take one with you if you’re on the move), you’ll find plenty in high street chemists or online. Go for a comprehensive one such as this 220 Piece Premium First Aid Kit Bag/£28.98, which has all the usual stuff you might need plus ice packs (keep in freezer) and emergency blankets.

You can of course order online but be aware that with possible postal strikes it might be wiser to pop to a high street chemist.

St John Ambulance also has a range of kits, including ones for the workplace and specific kits for burns.

First Aid information It’s worth having a book to hand in case access to online information is compromised by power cuts. St John Ambulance First Aid Manual is my go to.

And we wish you a very merry and healthy Christmas, with everything crossed that the above info is entirely superfluous to requirements…

Prize Draws