People are advised to be prepared and order their repeat prescriptions in time so that they don’t run out of their routine medicines over the Christmas and New Year break when services are likely to be busier than normal.
As GP practices will be closed over the bank holidays and only some pharmacies will remain open, local NHS leaders have urged patients to plan ahead to avoid making last-minute requests for collecting repeat prescriptions, which can add avoidable pressure for doctors, pharmacies, and other NHS services.
Sati Ubhi, Chief Pharmacist at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, have cautioned patients that running out of their usual medication can have serious consequences.
“By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed and helps avoid a last-minute rush,” she told Fenland Citizen.
People can approach their GP practice to obtain their repeat prescriptions, or request online, via local GP practice websites or through the NHS App.
Most repeat prescriptions are now booked through the health service app, which was launched in December 2018.
Figures released by NHS England earlier this year showed that 25 million repeat prescriptions were ordered via the app in 2022/23, an increase of 92 per cent from 13 million in 2021/22.
Sati has also advised local people to stock up on medicine cabinet essentials such as pain killers, cough and cold remedies and a first aid kit for treatment of minor illnesses or injuries at home, and to make a note of their local pharmacy’s opening times over the festive season.
In case you run out of prescription medication over the bank holiday weekend, you can request an emergency prescription via NHS 111.
