As we approach Christmas, it’s time to make sure you have all the medication you need for the festive period.
The advice ahead of any bank holiday is always to order repeat prescriptions at least five days earlier than you normally would, and at this time of year especially, it is important to plan ahead.
Most GP practices and pharmacies will be closed or have limited opening hours over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays, and there is often a late surge of people requesting their medication at the last minute. So to avoid long waits and help keep NHS services free during their busiest time of year, you can request your prescription early on the NHS website, via the NHS App, or through your GP practice.
Dr Lindsey Dickinson, an associate medical director at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “Making sure you have enough medication at home to cover the festive break is really important, and the 111 service is often really busy with people trying to arrange for emergency prescriptions.
“To help free up services, we advise people to check they have what they need to cover all eventualities – a well-stocked medicine cabinet and first aid kit are essential.
“It is also a good idea to make a note of your pharmacy and GP practice opening times over Christmas and New Year, just in case you need them, and you can find your nearest open pharmacy by searching ‘find a pharmacy’ online.”
Pain relief such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen is useful to keep at home to cope with aches, pains and high temperatures, as well as indigestion relief remedies, anti-diarrhoea tablets and oral rehydration salts, which can be useful to have to hand.
As well as basics such as plasters and bandages, a well-stocked first kit should also include a thermometer and ice and heat packs for pain – especially when slips and falls are more likely in icy conditions.
Flu and COVID-19 are also extremely common at this time of year, and those eligible can help protect themselves and those around them at Christmas by taking up the offer of a free vaccine – more information about eligibility and how to book a jab can be found at www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/getmyjab
The majority of pharmacies will be closed for Christmas Day (Thursday 25) and Boxing Day (Friday 26) and will operate to their regular Saturday and Sunday hours on 27 and 28 December. Again, pharmacy availability will be extremely limited on New Year’s Day (Thursday 1 January). A list of those that are opening will be made available on the ICB website nearer the time.
The advice is not to use A&E for medication and avoid using 111 for prescription requests. Please continue to use the services as normal, however, and call 999 in life-threatening situations, or 111 if urgent help is required. If you do need emergency advice regarding medicines, community pharmacies can often help.
Most dentists will also be closed over the festive bank holidays. If your dental practice is closed and you need urgent dental treatment or advice contact the Lancashire and South Cumbria dental helpline - 0300 1234 010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays. Outside of these hours, for urgent dental support and all urgent care needs, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
NHS 111 will help direct you to the most appropriate service which could be a walk-in centre, pharmacy or an out-of-hours GP appointment.