It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so get repeat prescriptions in early
People living in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who rely on regular medicine to stay well are being urged to avoid the pre-Christmas rush, and to order any medicine they may need during the festive season earlier than usual.
Pharmacies across the region are likely to be busier than usual in the run-up to the big day, which is why people nearing the end of their current supply of medicine should get their repeat prescriptions in no later than Friday 12 December.
Ordering on or before this date will ensure pharmacy teams have enough time to process the request, while also allowing wiggle room for any unexpected delays in delivery.
After this date, pharmacies cannot guarantee that medicines will arrive before the extended Christmas break, which will see many sites close early on Wednesday 24 December, and not reopen until the morning of Monday 29 December.
Missing medication can have potential consequences for people of all ages who are living with either a long or short-term condition, with the impact often worse for those who are older or vulnerable.
Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Integration Lead, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Every Christmas and New Year, our NHS 111 phone lines become inundated with calls from people who have run out of medicine, and need to arrange an emergency repeat prescription.
“Planning ahead by getting orders in early helps to avoid challenging situations like this, and means people can enjoy the festive period knowing they have what they need to stay well, while at the same time supporting our urgent care teams to focus on those most in need of genuine help.
“Most pharmacies will be able to fulfil common prescription requests in less than a week, but at this time of year, when the NHS is at its most busy, having a cushion of a few extra days ensures that – even with unexpected delays – orders can still get to people before the Christmas break.”
A select few pharmacies will be open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, as well as over the weekend that immediately follows, but these may be further away and more difficult to get to due to public transport running amended timetables.
For people who may struggle to visit their local pharmacy in person, prescription requests can now be made quickly and easily through the NHS App, which was how almost 90,000 people in the local region ordered their medicine during October.
Similarly, urgent prescriptions can be arranged quickly and easily via NHS 111 online, which is available at www.111.nhs.uk and can provide people with a direct referral to their nearest open pharmacy.
In addition to prescriptions, community pharmacies offer a wide range of services that are designed to support people needing help with minor injuries and illnesses.
The PharmacyFirst initiative, which is in operation at all of the 130-plus sites in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, allows pharmacists to prescribe treatments, including antibiotics, for seven common conditions.
Earache, impetigo, sore throat, infected insect bites, sinusitis, shingles and urinary tract infections in women are all covered by the scheme, which allows treatments to be given without the need for a GP appointment.
More information on the services available at community pharmacies can be found online at www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk, while full Christmas and New Year opening times are available through the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.