Residents in North Staffordshire are being encouraged to ensure medical care and repeat prescriptions are included in their plans for the two May Bank Holidays.
During these busy bank holiday periods, GP practices will be closed on May 6th and May 27th. The NHS have put together a checklist for you to refer to so that you can ensure your prescriptions are in stock and available to you.
- If you need medical advice or assistance that is not an emergency, you can rely on the NHS 111 service; Simply visit 111.nhs.uk, download the NHS 111 app or call 111 to speak to a trained healthcare professional who will guide you on the best course of action.
- Order repeat prescriptions in advance; Check your medication supplies and order any necessary repeats well before they run out. This step allows enough time for prescriptions to be processed and for any potential issues to be addressed before the holidays.
Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones, Chief Medical Officer of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB said: ” The bank holiday is a great time for family and friends, but it’s also a busy period for healthcare with pharmacy and GP closures. To avoid long waits, make sure to restock your medicines and order repeat prescriptions.
“The NHS has made it simpler to get the right medication and connect with the right clinician through the NHS App. You can easily request repeat medicines from your practice and avoid long lines.”
“Running out of medication for long-term conditions like Diabetes, Asthma and Chronic Pain can lead to serious complications and hospital admissions. To prevent this, it’s crucial to make sure that you have enough medication at home to cover the holiday period.”
There will be a holiday pharmacy rota.
Pharmacists are available to offer health advice and information without needing an appointment. Patients can find their local pharmacy and check opening hours using the ‘Find a Pharmacy’ service on the NHS website or by referring to the list of Pharmacy opening times provided.
