Beat the Bank Holiday Rush: NHS Urges Order of Repeat Prescriptions in Advance

It’s May Bank Holiday next weekend, from Saturday 4th to Monday 6th May, so don’t forget to order any repeat prescriptions you might need, early.

Quickest and easiest

Using the NHS App is the quickest and easiest way to order repeat prescriptions. You can do it at a time that is convenient to you and puts you in greater control of your own health.

You can also use the NHS App to choose which pharmacy you’d like your medication to be sent to, and to track the progress of your order.

The NHS recommends that repeat prescriptions should be ordered seven days ahead of the Bank Holiday to guarantee that they will be available in time.

People are also being encouraged to check their medication supply and start thinking ahead in preparation for May’s second Bank Holiday from Saturday 25th to Monday 27th May.

Care over Bank Holiday weekends  

If you need access to care over the Bank Holiday weekends, the NHS 111 service offers advice and support 24 hours a day. You can visit www.111.nhs.uk or call 111.

NHS 111 can direct you to the right place for the care you need and can arrange for a nurse, doctor, or paramedic to ring you back. They can also book you an appointment at a local pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or hospital A&E department if needed.

Pharmacy First

For advice and treatment for minor health concerns, people can also use the ‘Pharmacy First’ service.. Through ‘Pharmacy First’, pharmacists can assess and treat patients for common conditions without the need for a GP appointment or prescription first.

Simply drop in to your local pharmacy and ask for advice – but do remember to call ahead to check their bank holiday opening hours.

You can use this link to search for your nearest pharmacy and opening times. 

How to treat your child at home

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  

Plan ahead

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 May 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 advise planning around seven days in advance.”