News from our partners: Residents asked to plan ahead when ordering prescriptions this holiday period
News from our partners local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)
Health professionals at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Clinical Commissioning Group are asking residents to plan ahead and double-check they have a suitable supply of prescription medication over the festive period.
The Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) team will be available for patients to order any repeat prescriptions until 4pm on Christmas Eve (Friday 24 December 2021), and will reopen on Wednesday 29 December.
The team will be available between 8am-5pm on Wednesday 29 December, Thursday 30 December and Friday 31 December; then returning to regular service on Tuesday 4 January 2022.
Please be aware that there is likely to be a backlog of emails during the holiday period, so residents are asked to please allow 48 hours for the team to receive and reply to email requests.
Stephanie Munro, POD Service Manager at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin CCG, said:-
“If you have a regular prescription requirement, we are currently able to allow 10 days between order and collection. This helps GP practices and pharmacies to ensure prescriptions are authorised and dispensed safely and efficiently.”
As the NHS faces its busiest winter, the CCG is also reminding patients that pharmacists and pharmacy staff can help with many minor health concerns and are available to discuss symptoms.
Stephanie added:-
“Many pharmacies offer a ‘common ailments service’ and are able to provide some medicines free of charge for a range of conditions, such as sore throats, indigestion, constipation and diarrhoea, without needing to see a doctor.
“You can also check symptoms online quickly and easily on the NHS 111 website (111.nhs.uk). It has lots of advice for common illnesses, so should be your first choice when accessing healthcare for non-urgent reasons.
“It’s also a good idea to make sure your medicine cabinet and first aid kit are fully stocked, as you may well be able to manage minor conditions without even leaving your home.”
If you are in need of a pharmacist over the holidays, there will be a number of pharmacies across the county open to help. To find your local pharmacy holiday opening hours please click here.
You can contact the POD by email online, or phone: Shropshire POD 03333 583509 (shropshire.pod@nhs.net) and Telford and Wrekin POD 01952 580350 (tw.pod@nhs.net).
For more information on the service, please visit the Shropshire Telford and Wrekin CCG website.
