Leading up to Christmas, Hampshire GPs are asking patients, carers and their friends and families to make sure that anyone who requires regular medical prescriptions, orders and collects their medication in good time, and avoid any last minute rush over the Christmas break.

Medical Director for NHS England in Wessex, Dr Stuart Ward said:
“This is a hectic time of year, and it’s very easy to overlook the need to order and collect a repeat prescription.  For some patients’ this could potentially be very serious.  Patients’ with long term and serious conditions need to receive their medication regularly, missing this, could have a serious and detrimental effect on their health”.

Dr Ward added: “Frequently  we are contacted by families, who have a relative staying with them, who have either left their medication at home, or simply forgotten that they needed a repeat prescription altogether. Missing medication will often lead to an exacerbation of their condition and even lead to hospitalisation.”

He continued, “Such problems are easily avoided.  Contacting your own surgery, in a timely fashion will enable you to collect your prescription within forty-eight hours, and you will also need to allow time to collect the medication from the pharmacist. It’s a very simple process and just needs a little bit of forethought and planning.”

Small actions such as this, contribute to reducing the growing pressure on the NHS, and in some cases will help to avoid the need for patients being urgently admitted to hospital.

Don’t be a Grinch this Christmas and ensure you are well stocked with all your medical needs so you can enjoy your holiday!

Check the opening hours of your local pharmacy through the NHS Choices website: http://www.nhs.uk/Service-Search/Pharmacy/LocationSearch/10

Services available over Christmas and New Year are:

• Out-of-hours GP – for urgent help when your GP surgery is closed, phone NHS 111.
• DentaLine 01634 890300. Open evenings and weekends for dental emergencies that cannot wait until your dentist reopens.