Health leaders across the North West are urging the public to plan ahead this Bank Holiday weekend to ensure critical NHS services are available for those most in need.

The NHS typically sees increased demand over Bank Holidays and both Easter and the earlier Bank Holidays in May were no exception.

Health services across the North West will be under pressure and A&E departments and the 111 phone service will be busy, so leaders are helping the public to know the best way to access care during that time.

 Planning ahead will mean people will be less likely to need help from the NHS this weekend, and people should ensure they have enough regularly prescribed medication, keep a well-stocked first aid kit and medicine cabinet at home, check which high street community pharmacies will be open over the weekend, and remember to use www.111.nhs.uk to get the quickest help if they are injured or unwell and need urgent but not emergency advice.

Regional Medical Director Dr Michael Gregory said: “A Bank Holiday means additional challenges for our services. If the public have an emergency or life-threatening illness or injury they should seek help as usual, but for more minor injuries, there may be more appropriate services they can access to ensure they get timely help and advice.

 “For example using 111 online gives the same responses as the phone service, but may give a quicker answer than contacting the phone line. In addition, community pharmacies offer a range of services and have a wealth of information and expertise if someone needs advice.”

 While it is too late to order repeat prescriptions for regular medication in time for this weekend, patients are advised that – with a further Bank Holiday at the end of May – the quickest way to get an emergency repeat prescription over the weekend is through the NHS 111 online service at www.111.nhs.uk.

 Karen O’Brien, MBE, the North West’s Regional Chief Pharmacist said: “Hopefully most people heeded our advice before this Bank Holiday weekend and ensured they have enough medication to last through the period. There are routes to get an emergency repeat prescription, but my advice would be to download the NHS App if you can and use this to order your medication on an ongoing basis. That way it will be easier in future to order your repeat medication.”

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

 If you require any medical advice and are unsure where to turn, you can use the online www.111.nhs.uk service, which will take you through symptoms and offer advice. In addition, some high street pharmacies will be open on the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday – search online for ‘find a pharmacy’ or click Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk) for details.