30/04/2013 - Permalink

Repeat prescriptions advice

Related topics: Health / Partner organisations

News from our partners Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Telford and Wrekin CCG

The NHS in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin is encouraging people to be prepared over the Bank Holiday and leave enough time for their repeat prescriptions.

Remember GP practices will be closed over the Bank Holiday period.  During Bank Holidays many people underestimate the time needed to order repeat prescriptions. Please ensure that you have enough medication to see you through the Bank Holiday – your practice will need at least 48 hours notice.

The local NHS is also encouraging people, whilst they are out shopping for the Bank Holiday, to ensure their medicine cabinet is well stocked.

People often turn up at hospitals with minor illnesses and injuries that could often be better treated more quickly elsewhere, or at home.

Your local pharmacist can offer you free, qualified health advice at any time, and no appointment is necessary.  From coughs and colds to aches and pains, they can give you expert help on everyday illnesses and answer questions about prescribed and over the counter medicines.

So, before the holiday schedule gets too hectic, check your medicine cabinet and make sure you have the following basics to get you through the holidays:

  • Your usual painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin
  • Cold and flu remedies
  • Anti-diarrhoea medicine
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • Indigestion remedies
  • Plasters
  • Bandages
  • Thermometer.

If you are already taking other medication, check first with your pharmacist to make sure the medicines are right for you.

Check any medicines already in your cabinet are still okay to use.  If any medicines are past their use-by date, don’t take them, but return them to a pharmacy for safe disposal.

If you take regular medication make sure you have enough to get you through the holiday season.  Remember the out of hours GP service should not be used for repeat prescriptions, so please think ahead.

Dr Mike Innes, Chair of the Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group, said:

“We are encouraging people to think ahead and order their repeat prescriptions early.  Your GP practice will need at least 48 hours notice.  If you need an urgent repeat prescription and your practice is closed, pharmacies can help.  However, we encourage people where possible to leave enough time and contact their GP practice.  Please remember, Shropdoc should not be used for repeat prescriptions.”

Carol McInnes, Shropshire CCG’s Head of Programmes and Service Redesign, said:

“The NHS can experience high demand over Bank Holiday weekends, so please help us by using local NHS services wisely.  Last Bank Holiday Shropdoc experienced high levels of requests for repeat prescriptions, which meant increased pressure on the out of hours service.  Shropdoc should not be used for repeat prescriptions.

“We are reminding people that there are a range of NHS services available over the Bank Holiday, including pharmacies, minor injury units and walk in centres.  Please only use A&E or 999 if you have a life threatening or serious injury or illness.”