People living across North Lancashire and South Cumbria have been urged to get repeat prescription orders in early ahead of the upcoming bank holiday.
Pharmacies across the region will have limited opening on Monday May 6 for the Early May Bank Holiday, and most GP practices will be closed throughout the extended weekend.
It can sometimes take up to five working days for a practice to issue a repeat prescription and for a pharmacy to process and dispense the medication - so patients who require medication are advised to request their prescriptions at the earliest opportunity.
You can order repeat prescriptions online, through the NHS App or through your GP surgery.
Dr Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed and helps avoid a last-minute rush.
“It is also a big help for health services, which are usually busier than normal during a bank holiday weekend.”
A list of which pharmacies will be open on bank holiday Monday will be posted here.
For any urgent care needs, people are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.
With another bank holiday later in May (Monday 27), now is a good time to top up your medicine cabinets to make sure you have the essentials to hand should you require them over the two extended weekends.
A properly stocked medicine cabinet can help you treat many common illnesses and ailments, so it is important that you regularly check on expiry dates so that you can replace any out of date items.
Dr Dickinson added: “Medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, anti-diarrhoea tablets, oral rehydration salts, cough and cold medicine, antihistamines, and indigestion medicine should be essential items to have in your medicine cabinet.
“A first aid kit including a thermometer and ice and heat packs for pain is also recommended. You can speak to your local pharmacist for advice on what would be helpful to stock up on for any conditions you and your family members may have.”
As well as GPs and pharmacists, dentists also have limited bank holiday opening. but you can still access urgent dental services over the bank holiday. The Dental Helpline can provide advice, support and an appointment where required. Call 0300 1234 010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.
Outside of these hours, you can also call 111 for urgent dental support.
Morecambe Promenade will NOT close during £2.6m electricity works
Thumbs up for design changes marks start of "transformative year" for Eden Project Morecambe
Bolton-le-Sands pensioner, 81, targeted in telephone courier fraud banking scam
LISTEN: Up to 200 homes between Slyne and Bolton-le-Sands refused
Volunteers plant 120 native trees at Royal Lancaster Infirmary as part of major nature recovery project
Celebrating 25 years since opening of Lancaster’s iconic Millennium Bridge
Lorry driver flees scene as teenagers suffer serious injuries in M6 collision near Lancaster
Autism and ADHD referrals paused across Lancaster and Morecambe Bay over high demand
Uber granted operators licence for Lancaster district
Appeal to find relatives as memorial benches to be removed near Eden Project Morecambe site
Lancaster branch of Lloyds bank to close this summer
Child's trike stolen from garden in Morecambe is found after police appeal
Rock star John Waite proud of Lancaster roots on visit to home city
Morecambe and Heysham pubs win big at Lancashire Tourism Awards
First spades in the ground at Morecambe school's pioneering eco-garden
Morecambe FC Director of Fan Engagement resigns
65 e-bikes and e-scooters seized in three months during Lancaster district crackdown
Police appeal for theft of calculators from Lancaster stationers
Major investment announced for Williamson Park
Calls for public consultation into ward closure plans at Lancaster hospital
