Please don’t forget to order repeat prescriptions well ahead of the four-day Jubilee bank holiday next week.
A leading Hampshire GP today urged people who may be close to running out of repeat medication to avoid leaving re-ordering new supplies to the last minute.
Dr Nicola Decker, Clinical Leader for NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group, advised people who may run out of medicine between June 2-5 to re-order repeat prescriptions without delay.
Many Hampshire GP practices and pharmacies will be closed or have limited opening hours over the bank holiday weekend - making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice.
Dr Decker said: “Running out of your usual medication can also be really worrying and is the last thing you want to do when all your loved-ones are hopefully enjoying their extended weekend.”
Any repeat medicines needed over the bank holiday should be ordered in good time to ensure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed. Community pharmacies also generally need between 24 and 48 hours from when they receive a repeat prescription to prepare medicines.
The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is by using GP online services, via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you don’t have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.
If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, they can check their symptoms and get access to advice using 111.nhs.uk online. NHS 111 is a free service which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A spokesman for the South Central Ambulance Service said: “If you run out of your regular medication it can quickly become a serious emergency, especially if you require medication for heart conditions, breathing problems or other potentially life-threatening conditions.
“With our local ambulance service still under considerable pressure, please help alleviate any avoidable 999 calls by ensuring you have ordered and collected all your repeat medication to get you through the Platinum Jubilee Weekend so you can enjoy celebrating with family and friends.”
A list of the pharmacies that will open on the Spring Bank holiday (June 2) and Platinum Bank Holiday (June 3) is available by clicking on Hampshire or the Isle of Wight, depending on where you live. Normal weekend hours will resume after the bank holiday. It is important to note that some pharmacies do not open on weekends and so may not re-open until Monday June 6.