Patients across Cheshire and Merseyside are being asked to plan ahead for the August bank holiday weekend (Saturday 23 August – Monday 25 August) by ordering any necessary repeat prescriptions, to avoid running out of essential medication.
The NHS recommends any repeat prescriptions due in the days over the summer bank holiday should be ordered by Friday 15 August to give GP practice and community pharmacy time to get their prescription and medication ready.
Each bank holiday the NHS 111 phone service sees huge increases in calls from people who need urgent repeat prescriptions. Over the last summer bank holiday weekend in 2024 (24-26 August) the North West NHS 111 service answered 17,250 calls, 2,357 of these were for repeat prescriptions.
Susanne Lynch MBE, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Chief Pharmacist said: “Please remember to plan ahead and order any repeat prescriptions in plenty of time before the August bank holiday when GP practices are closed, and some pharmacies will also be closed or opening with reduced hours.
“Don’t wait for your prescription to run out if you rely on regular medication to manage a condition, as it can take time for your request to be approved by your GP practice and dispensed by your pharmacy. We also recommend people check what medicines they have and only order what is needed.”
Using the NHS App is the quickest and easiest way to order repeat prescriptions at a time that is convenient to you, and it puts you in greater control of your own health. You can also use it to choose which pharmacy you’d like your medication to be sent to, and to track the progress of your order.
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.
People are also being urged to make sure they know how to access urgent care – in case they or a loved need help over the bank holiday weekend, and to support the safe and timely discharge of loved ones who are ready to leave hospital.
NHS Cheshire and Merseyside’s Deputy Medical Director, Dr Fiona Lemmens said: “We want to remind people that our hospitals can often become very busy over a long bank holiday weekend when other health services are closed.
“To help us ensure that our ambulance services and hospital A&E departments are kept free for those who need them most – we are reminding people to make NHS 111 their first point of call for all non-emergency healthcare treatment and advice.
“The NHS 111 service offers advice and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at: www.111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. You should still call 999 or go straight to A&E in an emergency situation when someone is seriously ill or injured, and you think their life may be at risk.”
111.nhs.uk can help you with:
- where to get help for your symptoms, if you’re not sure what to do
- how to find general health information and advice
- where to get an emergency supply of your prescribed medicine
- how to get a repeat prescription
- getting emergency dental appointments
You should still ring 999 if you or someone else experience:
- signs of a heart attack like pain like a heavy weight in the centre of your chest
- signs of stroke such as your face dropping on one side
- difficulty breathing
- heavy bleeding that won’t stop
- seizures
- or sudden and rapid swelling of the eyes, lips, throat, or tongue
There will be community pharmacies open during the bank holiday period, who can support your medicines and health. Your local pharmacist can also provide advice and treatment for a wide range of minor conditions. They can also provide treatment were appropriate for the conditions below without the need to see your GP. You can find your nearest pharmacy by going to find your pharmacy.
- sinusitis
- sore throat
- earache
- infected insect bites and stings
- impetigo
- shingles
- uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in women
Parents and carers are also reminded that if a child is unwell, you can visit the Alder Hey online symptom checker for helpful advice on how to treat your child at home, and when to seek further medical help. Go to: www.alderhey.nhs.uk/conditions/symptoms-checker
More information about options for urgent care is available at: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services
