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Whether you’re at home or away, here’s the NHS advice to help you prepare for the Bank Holiday

With millions of holiday makers expected to hit the road this weekend, people in the Midlands are being encouraged to be ready for the Bank Holiday by planning ahead for repeat prescriptions and knowing where to go if they need help.  

Whether you’re at home or enjoying a break in England this weekend, ensuring your medication and repeat prescriptions are ordered and collected early can be essential as most GP surgeries and pharmacies will be closed throughout the Bank Holiday weekend (27-29 August). 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 are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk which will then suggest 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. 

NHS111 online couldn’t be simpler.  The user answers a series of questions and will be advised on what to do next.  Those unsure on whether they need to go to hospital will be directed to the best and often quickest help for them.  And those away from home will be told about services local to them that are open. 

Minor ailments such as tummy troubles, bites and stings can be treated by over-the-counter remedies.  Pharmacies will be open over the 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 and planning ahead for any necessary repeat prescriptions, people can ensure they make the most of the long weekend. 

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

“It’s important that everyone gets prepared ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend by collecting any prescriptions before the long weekend and ensuring they have enough medication to last. NHS services are traditionally busy over bank holidays so every little helps, whether you’re staying here in the Midlands or off exploring somewhere new this weekend.  

“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 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, wherever you are.”