Family doctors and pharmacists in the Burnham-On-Sea area have this week urged patients to get their repeat prescriptions before the Christmas and New Year holiday.
This year, Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday, so essential repeat prescriptions should be ordered and collected before Friday 21st December.
Running out of essential prescription medicines is still one of the most common reasons why people telephone the NHS 111 helpline over the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
Dr Ed Ford, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group Chairman and Minehead GP, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “With the Christmas and New Year holiday just days way we are reminding patients to get their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.”
“Many patients are now taking a range of medicines to manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Such medications need to be taken every day. If patients or their carers think they may run out of prescription medication over the Christmas and New Year holiday they should re-order and collect their medicines before Christmas.”
Emma Waller, a community pharmacist and Chair of the Somerset Local Pharmaceutical Committee, added: “Pharmacists are experts in medicines from complex chronic conditions to over the counter treatments for everyday illness. They are conveniently located in most towns and larger villages, so whether you have a cough or cold, feeling unwell or just need some advice about your medicines or condition, your local pharmacist is here to help.”
Details of pharmacy opening hours over Christmas and the New Year can be found by calling NHS 111, checking on Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group’s website at http://www.somersetccg.nhs.uk/
For more information and health advice on staying well this winter visit www.nhs.uk/staywell.
