NHS urges public to ensure they are prepared ahead of the August bank holiday and upcoming period of industrial action

Chemist filling prescription

With the August bank holiday approaching, and another period of industrial action by NHS consultants, the public across the North West are being urged to order any repeat prescriptions that are due in good time.

Every bank holiday the NHS 111 phone service sees huge increases in people contacting it about repeat prescriptions. 

NHS England - North West’s Regional Chief Pharmacist, Karen O’Brien MBE, is reminding people not to leave it too late to order repeat prescriptions if they are due ahead of the bank holiday next week (26-28 August), and with the NHS expected to be under additional pressure during this period due to two days of industrial action leading up to the weekend.   

To receive your prescription in time ahead of the bank holiday weekend, it is recommended that prescriptions are ordered no later than Monday 21 August.

Across the North West, over the bank holiday, pharmacies will have limited opening hours making it more difficult for patients to access medicines at short notice. This, coupled with a period of industrial action by hospitals consultants, from 7am on Thursday 24 August to 7am on Saturday 26 August, means that the NHS is expecting significant disruption, and it is vital the public are aware of the pressure the health service will be under and know the best way to access care for themselves, family and friends at this time. 

Karen O’Brien said: “You can help yourself by restocking medicine cabinets, knowing when your GP practice is open and planning ahead to order any repeat prescriptions that are due around the bank holiday weekend in time.  

“Running out of your usual medication may have serious consequences, especially if you have a heart, lung conditions or another long term health condition.” 

GP Dr Paula Cowan, Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West, reiterated the message, saying: “If you take regular medications, for whatever reason, and if you are due a repeat prescription over the bank holiday, please remember to always request your repeat via your practice or the NHS app at least 72 hours in advance. It may take longer than 72 hours to order your prescription and have it dispensed so please first check with your GP practice and pharmacy.   

“This enables your practice and pharmacy to have your repeat ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of bank holiday weekends. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication.  

“It is also important to understand how the upcoming two days of hospital consultants’ industrial action will affect your local NHS services, and choose services appropriately at this time, including using 111 online as the first port of call for health needs, and only using 999 if it is a life-threatening emergency.” 

If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, or during the upcoming industrial action, they can check their symptoms and get access to advice using 111.nhs.uk online. NHS 111 is a free service which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

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.