Please remember to order your repeat prescriptions

Yorkshire’s NHS 111 service, which provides urgent healthcare advice across the region, is reminding people to order and collect the repeat prescriptions they need for the festive period before GP surgeries and pharmacies close or operate on limited hours during Christmas and New Year.

The NHS 111 service receives hundreds of calls at this time of year from patients who have run out of their regular medication, leading to unnecessary worry for them and increasing pressure on busy urgent care and out-of-hours NHS services.

Usha Kaushal, Integrated Urgent Care/NHS 111 Lead Pharmacist at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust (which runs the NHS 111 service in Yorkshire and the Humber, Bassetlaw, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire), is reminding people to ensure they have sufficient stocks of their medicines to last them over the festive break.

She said: “The NHS 111 service remains busy at this time of year and will continue to be in high demand over the Christmas and New Year period. Therefore, we’re asking those who need repeat medication to manage long-term conditions to order and collect their prescriptions before Christmas.

“In the build-up to the festive holiday, it’s easy to forget, and this can result in unnecessary anxiety and issues once GP practices close for a few days.

“Please check your medication stocks to ensure you have enough to last you through Christmas and New Year. It’s also important to remember to pack your medication if you’re going to visit family or friends.

“Not only will you be helping yourself, but you’ll also be helping the NHS by reducing pressure on busy urgent care services.”

Pharmacy First

In addition, people should be aware of the Pharmacy First scheme, which provides easy access to healthcare advice and treatments for minor ailments directly from their local pharmacy without the need for a GP appointment. Pharmacies are an essential part of healthcare, especially during the holiday season when GP appointments may be limited.

Patients can order repeat prescriptions via their GP surgery, or by logging into their NHS account, using the NHS App or the NHS website.

For more health advice on winter vaccinations and winter health, visit https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/keep-warm-keep-well/