PEOPLE in Warrington are being advised to order any necessary repeat prescriptions ahead of the summer bank holiday weekend (August 23-25) to avoid running out of essential medication.
The advice comes from Karen O’Brien (pictured), regional chief pharmacist for NHS England in the North West.
She recommends any repeat prescriptions due in the days over the summer bank holiday should be ordered by Friday August 15 to give GP practices and community pharmacies time to get their prescription and medication ready.
Each bank holiday the NHS 111 phone service sees huge increases in calls from people who need urgent repeat prescriptions. Over the last summer bank holiday weekend the North West NHS 111 service answered 17,250 calls, 2,357 of which were for repeat prescriptions.
In the same weekend, there was a 1,048-call increase in the number of people calling 111 for emergency repeat prescriptions, compared to the previous week. Pharmacies may have limited opening hours over the summer bank holiday, making it challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the break puts added pressure on already busy NHS services.
Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care for NHS England in the North West, added “If you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and if you are due a repeat prescription in the week leading up to the summer bank holiday weekend, please remember to request it in advance.
“This enables your GP practice and pharmacy to have your repeat medication ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of bank holiday weekends. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication.”
Over the summer bank holiday, urgent and emergency care services will be open as normal. The public should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. For non-emergency health advice, people can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk, which offers the same help and advice as the telephone service. If you cannot access 111 online, please call 111.
You should still ring 999 in an emergency.
