Get repeat prescriptions early ahead of Easter

Friday, 31 March 2023 01:00

We are being reminded to organise any repeat prescriptions early ahead of the Easter weekend.

People in the local area who rely on regular medication to stay well are being reminded to get any upcoming repeat prescriptions in early to avoid running short over the long Easter weekend.

Many pharmacies across the region will close at the end of the day on Thursday, 6 April, and not open again until the morning of Tuesday, 11 April.

Although a select few across the area will open on the bank holidays, albeit with
shorter opening times, people are strongly advised to sort out their medication needs well in advance.

Most prescriptions take around three days to process, so any person nearing the end of their current supply of medication should submit their request to their pharmacy no later than Monday 3 April.

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead, Bath and North East
Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board said: “One of the most
common reasons for people needing health and care over a bank holiday weekend is that they have run out of medication.

“Not only does this create problems for the individual, it also puts added demand on the limited NHS services that remain open, most of which are intended to support people needing urgent or emergency care.

“Pharmacy teams will always do their best to process prescriptions as quickly as
possible, but getting the request in early, especially in the run-up to a long bank
holiday weekend will ensure people get the medicine they need to stay well.”

People who use the ICB’s Prescription Ordering Direct service, often called POD, are also advised to make their requests as early as possible.

The POD service, which recently changed its telephone number to 0333 332 0050, can also be used online by sending an email to bswicb.podemergency@nhs.net or by filling out the form on the ICB website.

A full list of all the GP practices whose patients are able to order medicine through the Prescription Ordering Direct service can be found online via the ICB website.

This will also be where people can find out which pharmacies are open and when across the Easter weekend, with a complete list of opening times being added in the coming days.