Don't get caught out this Easter weekend – remember your prescription!
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Staff at NHS 24 are asking the public to check they have enough of their prescribed medication to last over Easter or any spring holidays.
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NHS 24, which manages 111 as well as other digital and telehealth services, often receives calls from patients trying to get their prescribed medicines when their GP or own local pharmacy are closed. Call volumes to 111 for this type of query typically increase when there are public holidays, such as the upcoming Easter weekend and local holidays in May.
Dr John McAnaw is associate clinical director and head of pharmacy at NHS 24. As part of its annual ‘Healthy Know How’ campaign he advises the public to act now and check they have enough of their prescription to last over any holiday closures,
"The date of the Easter holidays changes every year, and because of this it can be easy to get caught out and forget to check prescriptions before any GP practices or pharmacies close for the bank holidays," he said.
"The Easter weekend falls quite early this year, so my advice is to take some time now to check how much of your medication you have. If you need more to cover the holidays, bear in mind that your GP and pharmacy will need time to process your request so order in plenty of time and remember to pick your ordered prescription up."
He added: "If you are in a situation where you urgently need medication and your normal GP or pharmacy are closed, our ‘Accessing Medicines’ self-help guide on NHS inform can quickly advise you on how to source the medicines you need.
"However, you can have a fuss-free Easter weekend by checking your medication supplies now and ordering your prescription in plenty of time if needed."
