With the Easter bank holidays coming soon, a top pharmacist is urging members of the public to order repeat prescriptions in good time.
Chief Pharmacist, Karen O’Brien MBE, who leads the pharmacy service across the region, recommends people order any repeat prescriptions that are due over the Easter weekend, from Good Friday (18 April) to Easter Monday (21 April) by Friday, by 10 April to ensure they can be processed and collected in time.
Bank holiday weekends typically see an increase in people contacting the NHS 111 service for emergency prescriptions because they are running out of medication. Last Easter (29 March – 1 April 2024), the service received more than double the number of calls from people across the North West who needed to order repeat prescriptions, 4,176 calls compared with 1,645 the previous weekend (22 – 25 March 2024).
Pharmacies will have limited opening hours over Easter, and many will be closed on Good Friday 18 April, Easter Sunday 20 April and Easter Monday 21 April, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the break can put added pressure on already busy NHS services.
Karen said: “Keeping your medicine cabinets stocked, knowing when GP practices are open and planning for repeat prescriptions will ensure you can make the most of the Easter holidays, especially if you’re going away.
“Running out of your usual medication can have serious consequences, especially if you use them to control a heart condition, breathing problems or have a health condition such as diabetes. This can be avoided if people order any prescriptions that are due in advance and make sure they collect them ahead of the bank holiday weekend.”
Dr Paula Cowan, a GP and Regional Medical Director for Primary Care for NHS England – North West, said: “If you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and if you are due a repeat prescription in the week leading up to Easter or over the Easter weekend, we recommend you order your medication via your practice or the NHS app by Friday, 10 April.
“This enables your practice and pharmacy to have your prescription ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of the Easter bank holidays and if you’re planning to go away on holiday. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication and a possible emergency trip to your GP, out of hours service or A&E departments.”
As well as ordering repeat medications, the NHS App allows people to book and cancel appointments at their GP practice, view their health record and get health advice, searching trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments. Download the NHS App on the app store or on google play, and ensure you have notifications switched on in the app.
Over Easter all urgent and emergency care services will be open. The public should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. Non-emergency health advice the public contact 111.nhs.uk for their first port of call. If you cannot access NHS 111 online, please call 111.
