Patients urged to order repeat prescriptions
Patients who need regularly prescribed medication are being reminded to order repeat prescriptions now, before the Easter bank holidays start tomorrow (April 7).
Most pharmacies and GP surgeries in Sussex will be closed or have reduced hours over the long weekend.
Forgetting to get enough supplies of essential medication can put patients’ health at risk, and end up putting strain on out-of-hours services, which are there to deal with the most urgent health problems. Data shows one in four calls to NHS111 over weekends can be from callers requesting repeat prescriptions, who take up time which could have been spent supporting callers with an urgent and unavoidable need.
A spokesperson for NHS Sussex said: “We are urging patients, their families and carers to please check now they have enough daily medication to see them through the bank holiday break.
“Running out of daily medication over the bank holiday weekend could have serious consequences, especially for patients who rely on their prescriptions to control heart and breathing problems.
“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is by using GP online services, via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.
“Bank holidays are always busy times of year for the NHS so picking up a repeat prescription in advance really does helps us, help you.”
For those who do need help for urgent but non emergency care, there are walk-in minor injury services and urgent treatment centres.