Help keep vital services free this Easter by ordering repeat prescriptions early

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is reminding people to order their repeat prescriptions early ahead of the Easter bank holidays.

GP practices and many pharmacies will be closed for up to four days – from Good Friday on 29 March to Easter Monday on 1 April - so it is important to make sure prescriptions are requested in good time to avoid being without vital medication.

A limited number of pharmacies across the region will be open as usual, and a list can be found here: LSC Integrated Care Board :: Pharmacy (icb.nhs.uk)

Every bank holiday, the NHS 111 phone service sees a surge in the number of people asking for prescriptions to be arranged because their medication is due to run out. By ordering as early as possible, this will help to avoid longer waits for those contacting 111 for urgent advice.

Dr Peter Gregory, associate medical director at NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), which organises healthcare services in the region, said: “Running out of your medication can have serious consequences, and it is important to seek help if you realise you are close to running out.

“However, long waits on the 111 service or at urgent treatment centres can be avoided by getting your repeat prescription early, and it also frees up those services for those that require immediate attention.

“Keep your medicine cabinets stocked with essentials, such as paracetamol, cough and cold remedies, antihistamines, and plasters and bandages, and try to get your repeat prescriptions requested early. Be mindful that it can sometimes take up to five working days for a practice to issue a repeat prescription and for a pharmacy to process and dispense the medication.”

Repeat prescriptions can be easily ordered using online GP services, via your practice’s website, or on the NHS App. If you do not have online access, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.

People with a long-term repeat prescription are advised to ask their GP about electronic repeat dispensing, which can allow a doctor to sign off 12 months’ worth of prescriptions at once, which means prescriptions will be ready for collection whenever people need it without the need to place their regular order with their GP practice.