The unique charity which provides medical services for Glastonbury Festival is celebrating its 40th year on site.

Festival Medical Services' teams of volunteer doctors, nurses and health professionals offer full emergency medical services, plus other healthcare services such as dentistry, podiatry and physiotherapy, in its on-site "hospital" area and most types of treatment can be safely delivered in situ.

Managing director Dr Chris Howes, from Croscombe, near Wells, said: "The organisation we have grown into is scarcely recognisable as that which received its first patient in a kitchen at Worthy Farm, Glastonbury, 40 years ago in 1979."

With just 24 hours to go until the gates open for this year's festival, Dr Howes offered some tips to help festival-goers enjoy a safe and healthy weekend.

Hydration

Dr Howes said: "We would like to stress the importance of keeping well hydrated.

"Not drinking enough liquid can lead to feeling faint and in extreme cases, collapsing. We notice a rise in the numbers of patients coming to us with urinary symptoms (pain when peeing, frequently needing to go) which are associated with dehydration.

"It is important to drink plenty of fluids, but obviously not to count alcohol, as this actually increases dehydration, so people should try to drink at least as much water as they do alcohol.

"Being outside for prolonged periods and being exposed to the sun can cause fluid to be lost more quickly, so people need to be aware of that too.

"They should also protect their skin from over-exposure to the sun by using sun cream, which is available free on-site, or can be purchased from one of the two FMS pharmacies on-site."

Food Hygiene

Food hygiene is an important consideration during festivals when people are cooking outdoors and sharing cooking utensils, says Dr Howes.

"Most important of all is to make sure hands are always clean before handling any food. Infection can spread very quickly in crowded places, so it is important to keep washing your hands and use the hand sanitiser provided at all the toilets.

"The drinking water available from the on-site taps is regularly tested and is of good drinking quality. All uncooked foods, particularly salad items, should be rinsed thoroughly before eating.

"Towards the end of the festival, people may have some food that they brought with them originally left to eat and care should be taken that it is still fit to consume.

"If the worst happens and you do develop sickness, then mugs and plates should not be shared without washing them, or towels, to try to keep the risk of spreading it as low as possible."

Photo: Paul Holloway