With the August Bank Holiday fast approaching, the South East’s Medical Director is urging people living in the region to order any repeat prescriptions that are due in good time.

Each Bank Holiday the NHS 111 phone service sees an increase in calls from people who need urgent repeat prescriptions.

Pharmacies may have limited opening hours over the August Bank Holiday, and many will be closed on Monday 26 August, 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.

Dr Chris Tibbs, Medical Director for the NHS in the South East said: “Knowing when your GP practice and pharmacy is open, and planning for repeat prescriptions that are due will ensure you can make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend.

“If you have a heart condition, breathing problems or a condition like diabetes, it’s particularly important to make sure you don’t run out of medication.”

GPs have reiterated the message, advising that if you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and if you are due a repeat prescription in the week near the August Bank Holiday weekend, you should request your repeat via your practice or the NHS app as soon as possible.

A timetable of pharmacies open over the weekend in the region is available on the NHS website here.

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 the August Bank Holiday, urgent and emergency care services will be open as normal.  You should call 999 or attend accident and emergency services in the event of a life or limb threatening emergency. For non-emergency health advice, you can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk, which offers the same help and advice as the telephone service. If you cannot access 111 online, please call 111.