Order prescriptions ahead of Easter bank holiday weekend, NHS warns

Residents who rely on regular prescribed medication are reminded to make sure they have enough to see them through the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend.

GP practices will be closed over the bank holiday weekend - Friday, 18 April to Monday, 21 April - and only some pharmacies will be open, meaning it will not be possible to collect a prescription at short notice.

Sati Ubhi, chief pharmacist at NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough ICB, said: “Plan ahead for this long bank holiday weekend by checking now if you have enough medication to last and requesting more if needed. Ordering, dispensing and collecting prescriptions can take several days so it’s best to order in plenty of time before the Easter weekend.

“Running out of your prescribed medication can be very stressful over a bank holiday weekend when services are not running normally and can also cause additional work for pharmacies and NHS 111 which are already under pressure, especially during a bank holiday weekend.”

Most repeat medication requests can be made through the NHS App, online or via your local GP practice website. Anyone who does not use the internet can speak to their GP practice to get their repeat prescription.