Christmas reminder: Don’t forget to order your repeat prescriptions

Yorkshire’s NHS 111 service is reminding people to order their repeat prescriptions in time for the Christmas break.

Each Christmas sees hundreds of patients calling NHS 111 because they have run out of their regular medication, leading to unnecessary worry for themselves and increasing pressure on busy urgent care services.

Dr Eithne Cummins, Clinical Director for Integrated Urgent Care at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, which runs the NHS 111 service in Yorkshire and the Humber, Bassetlaw, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, urged people to make sure they have sufficient stocks so they do not run out over the festive holiday.

He said: “The NHS 111 service will be very busy over the Christmas and New Year period. Many people need repeat medication to manage long-term conditions and most remember to order and collect their prescriptions before Christmas which is helpful and appreciated. However, in the busy build-up to the holidays, it’s easy to forget and this can lead to problems once GP practices close for the holidays.

“So if you think you might need more medication over Christmas and the New Year, save yourself the worry and re-order your prescription while there is still plenty of time for it to be processed and dispensed.

“Not only will you be doing yourself a favour, you’ll also be helping the NHS by reducing pressure on busy urgent care services over the Christmas period.”

Check out health advice on treating common winter illnesses at NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/winterhealth/Pages/Winterhealthrisks.aspx