PRESCRIPTIONS ADVICE AHEAD OF UPCOMING EASTER BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
29 March 2023
The leader of pharmacy services in Coventry and Warwickshire is reminding people not to leave it too late to order repeat prescriptions if they are due ahead of the Easter break.
Bank Holidays see a surge in the amount of people contacting the NHS 111 telephone service about repeat prescriptions because they have not been ordered earlier.
Fiona Lowe, NHS Coventry and Warwickshire’s Chief Officer from Community Pharmacy Arden, has advised that any repeat prescriptions due over the Easter Bank Holiday must be ordered by Monday 3rd April to receive them in time for the break.
Most GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Easter period, with many closing from Friday 7th April to Monday 10th April, making it difficult for people to get hold of their medicines at short notice.
Fiona said: “By keeping an eye on current stocks and planning ahead for repeat prescriptions, people can ensure they don’t get caught out by reduced service over the Easter period.
“Running out of important medication can have serious health consequences, especially if they are used to treat conditions like heart problems. It also increases pressures on our other health services like NHS 111 which are already busy during this time.”
If you take regular medications and are due a repeat prescription over Easter, please request it by 3rd April via your usual method.
GP practices will not be able to guarantee people receiving prescriptions before the Bank Holiday if they order after the cut-off date.
Please be aware that the cut-off date for Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) orders is also Monday 3rd April if the POD service is your usual method of ordering. To order via the POD, visit the website and scroll down to complete the form.
You can find a list of pharmacy opening hours for Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday across Coventry and Warwickshire by clicking here.
If people feel unwell over the Bank Holiday weekend and are unsure what to do, they can check their symptoms and get advice using NHS 111 Online. For concerns about children aged under five, the telephone service should be used instead.