Repeat prescriptions reminder for Easter

The region’s NHS 111 integrated urgent care service is reminding patients to order and collect their repeat prescriptions in time for the upcoming Easter break.

Over bank holiday periods, the NHS 111 service tends to receive a significant number of calls from people who have run out of their regular medication, and it is asking everyone to ensure that they have enough at home. It’s also important that anyone going away to visit family and friends remembers to pack their medication.

Missing out on daily medication can have serious consequences, especially for people who rely on tablets and other medicines to control heart and breathing problems.

Easter is a long bank holiday weekend and it’s easy to forget about repeat prescriptions. GP surgeries will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday, so people should check that they have enough medication to last them.

Repeat prescriptions should be requested from your GP or pharmacist or by logging into the NHS App or the NHS website in the next couple of days, so that you can enjoy the bank holiday weekend without the worry of running out of essential tablets and medicines.

Pharmacy First
In addition, people should be aware that community pharmacies provide easy access to healthcare advice and treatments for a range of minor ailments and conditions without the need to see a GP.

Through the Pharmacy First scheme, pharmacists can help with common illnesses, such as a sore throat, earache, skin infections and more, without an appointment. This can help people access quick support over the Easter period while easing pressure on services.

Useful information about prescriptions and how pharmacies can help is available at: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/prescriptions-and-pharmacies/pharmacies/how-your-pharmacy-can-help/.