People in the Midlands are being encouraged to be ready for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday celebrations by planning ahead for repeat prescriptions and knowing where to go if they need help.

Ensuring medication and repeat prescriptions are ordered and collected early can be essential as most GP surgeries will be closed throughout the celebrations which run from 2 – 5 June. People can order prescriptions in their usual way and the NHS App also enables patients to request repeat prescriptions too.

NHS111 is now online.  It offers the same service without having to make a call. People can access the service on www.111.nhs.uk on their tablet, laptop or mobile or via the NHS App. There are now over 30 million downloads of the app in England which is almost half the population.

In a life-threatening situation, people should always call 999. But for other urgent care needs, people in the Midlands are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk which will then signpost to the most appropriate service that is open over the Bank Holiday. This could be a walk-in centre, pharmacy or an out-of-hours GP appointment.

NHS111 online is similar to the telephony service where the user answers a series of questions.  It can be used to check symptoms or to see if an injury or illness requires further investigation.  It can also be used to get information on mental health support services available, or to seek advice on how to take a medication.  And it can be done from the comfort of your own home, or if you’re out and about and not sure what to do.

Minor ailments such as tummy troubles, bites and stings can be treated by over-the-counter remedies.  Pharmacies will be open over the Jubilee Bank Holiday period, including supermarkets, and can help people deal with minor ailments, illnesses and provide expert advice. To check those open locally visit www.nhs.uk

By re-stocking their medicine cabinets if needed and planning ahead for any necessary repeat prescriptions, people can ensure they make the most of the four-day celebrations.

Dr Nigel Sturrock, Regional Medical Director at NHS England and NHS Improvement in the Midlands, said:

“It’s important that everyone gets prepared ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday by collecting any prescriptions before the celebrations and ensuring they have enough medication to last. NHS services are traditionally busy over bank holidays so every little helps. 

“Taking daily medication is an important part of treatment for those with long-term health problems such as asthma and diabetes. People can be seriously ill if they run out of medicines and may need to be admitted to hospital, which can be avoided by ordering your prescription early.

“It is also worth checking your general medicine cabinet before the Bank Holiday to make sure it is well stocked with essentials such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies, hay fever medicines, and plasters and bandages.

“These can all be bought cheaply from supermarkets or pharmacies and local pharmacists can also provide free, confidential, expert advice and treatment for a variety of common complaints.

“Using the 111 service online will help the NHS treat patients in the right setting over the Jubilee Bank Holiday period. This will also help keep staff free to deal with serious or life-threatening emergencies. So, if you need urgent medical or dental advice or care, use the NHS 111 online service to receive quick advice and to be directed to the best route of care for you over the Bank Holiday.”