Senior clinicians across the North West are reminding people not to leave it too late to order repeat prescriptions if they are due in the next few days or over the Spring Bank Holiday.

Every Bank Holiday – the NHS 111 phone service sees huge increases in people contacting it about repeat prescriptions –this year Easter and the May and Coronation Bank Holidays were no different with an increase in the numbers contacting 111 for emergency medication.

Karen O’Brien MBE leads the pharmacy service across the region and has warned that any repeat prescriptions due over the Spring Bank Holiday need to be ordered today to ensure they are ready before the weekend.

GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the period, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice.

Karen said: “By re-stocking medicine cabinets, knowing when your GP practice is open and planning ahead for repeat prescriptions, people can ensure they make the most of the Bank Holiday and are well-prepared for the busy period the NHS is anticipating.

“Running out of your usual medication can have serious consequences, especially if you use them to control heart and breathing problems or a health condition such as diabetes and is the last thing you want to do while your friends and family are celebrating.”

The region’s lead GP Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care, reiterated the message saying: “If you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and are on a repeat prescription which is due over the Bank Holiday period, please remember to always request your repeat via your practice or the NHS app at least 72 hours in advance.

“This enables your practice and pharmacy to have your repeat ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of Bank Holiday weekends. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication.”

Dr Cowan added: “Urgent and emergency care services will be open over the Bank Holiday and people should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. For non-emergency health needs the public should make NHS 111 Online (www.111.nhs.uk) their first port of call.

“A quarter of a million people every month across the North West use the NHS App to manage their repeat medication, and it can give you access to fast health advice via 111 online as well, so please consider downloading it if you have a smartphone.”

Once an NHS account is linked you can:

• Book appointments – search for, book and cancel appointments at your GP surgery, and see details of your upcoming and past appointments
• View your health record – securely access your GP health record, to see information like your allergies and your current and past medicines. If your GP has given you access to your detailed medical record, you can also see information like test results and details of your consultations
• Register your organ donation decision – choose to donate some or all of your organs and check your registered decision
• Find out how the NHS uses your data – choose if data from your health records is shared for research and planning
• View your NHS number

Even without linking the account, people are able to get health advice, searching trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments.

You can download the NHS App on the app store or on google play.