The Isle of Wight NHS are asking people to plan ahead to ensure they have access to their prescription medicines for the extended jubilee bank holiday weekend.
The appeal comes as figures reveal approximately a third of calls to 111 on the island over the recent Easter bank holiday were about accessing prescription medicines.
NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group has been working closely with GP practices, care homes and pharmacies across the island to prepare and ensure everyone has access to the medicines they need over the holiday.
Dr Michele Legg, an island GP and the Clinical Director (Isle of Wight), for NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, said:
“We’re urging people to make sure they order their medicines in plenty of time and make sure they plan ahead to ensure their supply over the coming extended bank holiday weekend.
“Local pharmacies are a vital part of the NHS care system. Pharmacists provide expert advice about over-the-counter medicines to treat common health conditions - as well as advice on medication and a range of other services. They are also trained to advise you whether you need to see a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional and can provide health and wellbeing advice.”
Steve Parker, Medical Director at Isle of Wight NHS Trust, said:
“We encourage everyone to check that they have enough medication to see them through the Jubilee weekend, before it starts. Anyone who runs out of daily medication could risk serious consequences, particularly for those with long-term conditions such as heart or breathing problems.
“If anyone finds that they do not have enough of their regular prescription medicine to cover this extended bank holiday, then we urge them to call into their local pharmacist or GP surgery in good time. With a little forward planning, everyone can make the most of this celebratory holiday.”
There will be changes to pharmacy opening hours over the bank holiday weekend. Here is the full list of pharmacies open on the bank holidays Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd June 2022:
Isle of Wight Pharmacy Opening Times
Normal weekend hours will resume after the bank holiday days. It is important to note that some pharmacies do not open on weekends and so may not reopen until Monday 6th June.
We suggest that patients who take regularly prescribed medication request their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time. Patients can also choose which pharmacy they want to serve them; while many choose their local pharmacy for convenience, they can easily change their nomination to another pharmacy, including a postal service, for chronic medications.