NHS chiefs urge people to make sure they have enough essential medicines for Bank Holiday

Patients in the NHS region covering Swindon are being advised to order repeat prescriptions well in advance.

Most pharmacies in the region will close at the end of the day on Friday 23 August, and not open again until the morning of Tuesday 27 August, meaning people who run out of medicine during the long weekend may struggle to replenish their supply.

Putting requests for repeat prescriptions in early not only gives pharmacy teams more time to order the necessary items, but also allows people to collect their medicine before doors close for the bank holiday.

Previous long weekends have seen some people caught out, and needing to arrange an emergency prescription from one of the few pharmacies open at the weekend or on the Bank Holiday itself.

Gill May, Chief Nurse with Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Some people who rely on their regular medication to stay well, such as those who are older or vulnerable, may become very poorly very quickly if their supply runs out.

“While missing a day’s medicine can be very dangerous for the individual, it can also cause problems for the wider health and care system, as those working in urgent and emergency care are often at their busiest during Bank Holidays.

“People can offset the pressure of the long weekend by ensuring their medicine is in good supply, and by always choosing the most appropriate healthcare option for their condition, which usually isn’t an ambulance or a hospital emergency department.”

Although GP practices will be closed on Monday 26 August, other out-of-hospital healthcare services will still be running, including NHS 111, which is available online as well as over the phone, as well as some out-of-hours pharmacies.

The digital version of NHS 111, which can be accessed at www.111.nhs.uk, is able to dispense real-time health and care advice based on a person’s specific symptoms and, where appropriate, can also signpost people to nearby in-person services.

Pharmacies staying open over the bank holiday will provide a similar service, with pharmacists able to advise on minor injuries and illnesses, suggest treatment options and dispense emergency prescriptions.

People can find the opening times for their nearest pharmacy, as well as those which will be open during the bank holiday weekend, by using the Find a Pharmacy tool on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk.

Those who find themselves in a genuine health and care emergency, such as anyone experiencing severe chest pains, heavy bleeding or loss of consciousness, should never put off calling 999 or visiting the nearest hospital.

Further information on all local health and care services can be found at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk.