With the Christmas and New Year holiday approaching, the North West’s top pharmacist is urging members of the public to order repeat prescriptions in good time.

Chief Pharmacist, Karen O’Brien MBE, who leads the pharmacy service across the region, has advised that any repeat prescriptions due in the days over the Christmas and New Year will need to be ordered by Monday, 16 December. 

Last year, North West Ambulance Service launched their first December campaign to tackle high repeat prescription calls to our NHS 111 service. They saw a 25% reduction in calls for repeat prescriptions in December 2023 compared to December 2022, but the statistics remain higher than they need to be. Last winter (Dec 2023 – Feb 2024), they received over 18,000 calls to our NHS 111 service for repeat prescriptions, the third-highest reason for calling.

Pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Christmas and New Year, and many will be closed on Christmas Day, 25 December, Boxing Day, 26 December and New Years Day, Monday 1 January, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the break puts added pressure on already busy NHS services. 

Karen said: “Keeping medicine cabinets stocked, knowing when GP practices are open and planning for repeat prescriptions will ensure you can make the most of the of Christmas and New Year. 

“Running out of your usual medication can have serious consequences, especially if you use them to control a heart condition, breathing problems or have a health condition such as diabetes.”

The region’s lead GP Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care, said: “If you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and if you are due a repeat prescription in the week leading up to Christmas and the New Year, please remember to always request repeat prescriptions via your practice or the NHS app by Monday, 16 December.

“This enables your practice and pharmacy to have your prescription ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of Christmas and New Year and with seasonal pressures already mounting across NHS services in the North West where A&E departments and GP practices are already exceptionally busy. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication and a possible emergency trip to your GP, out of hours service or A&E departments.”

Karen said: “The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is by using GP online services, via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.”

As well as ordering repeat medications, the NHS App allows people to book and cancel appointments at their GP practice, view their health record and get health advice, searching trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments.  Download the NHS App on the app store or on google play.

Over Christmas and New Year, urgent and emergency care services will be open.  The public should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. Non-emergency health advice the public contact 111.nhs.uk for their first port of call. If you cannot access 111 online, please call 111.

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