Published on: 18 May 2022
Patients are being asked to make sure they have plenty of medication in stock to see them through the Jubilee Bank Holiday as the four-day celebration nears.
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has joined GPs and pharmacists around the region to issue advice to people to be prepared ahead of the Jubilee Bank Holiday, which starts on Thursday, June 2.
People are reminded to #DoYourBit by organising any repeat medication in plenty of time.
During the May Bank Holiday, 1,548 people in the North East contacted the NHS 111 service for help after they forgot to order their repeat prescription and during 2021, more than 6,290 calls from patients who had run out of their medication during the extended holiday weekends.
Dr Shaz Wahid, the Trust’s Executive Medical Director, said: “For our patients, it is really important as part of their treatment with us that they continue to take any medication they have been prescribed.
“For those with long-term health concerns, people can become seriously unwell quickly if they run out of their medicines.
“The best way to avoid this from happening is to make sure that if you need regular medication, you plan ahead by making sure you have enough to get you through the Jubilee Bank Holiday and beyond.
“Our Emergency Departments are here to treat those who are most seriously ill and anyone who attends who is not one of these patients face a lengthy wait to be seen.
“Having enough medicine to hand will help ease this pressure on our services, which are already in demand.
“The NHS 111 service is available around the clock and can offer advice on medical problems when your own GP surgery is closed, but thinking ahead when it comes to medication really is best.”
GP practices will be closed from Thursday, June 2, until Monday, June 6.
It can take up to 48 hours for most surgeries to process a repeat prescription.
Patients are advised to use the NHS App, visit their local pharmacy or GP surgery online ordering system to arrange repeat medication.
Anyone who forgets to order their prescription can still seek the support of an extended hours community pharmacy, which will be able to help if their medication is in stock.
