With the Christmas and New Year bank holidays approaching, NHS Lincolnshire ICB is reminding patients to order their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

This year the Christmas bank holiday will extend from Saturday 24 December through to Wednesday 28 December.  The New Year bank holiday will be from Saturday 31 January to Tuesday 3 January.

At busy times of year like bank holidays it is important that we spend a few minutes thinking about our health care by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions at least a week in advance of the bank holiday weekend as many GPs and pharmacies will be closed.

Make sure you renew any regular prescriptions and collect medication before the holidays start as running out of daily medication over this period could have serious consequences for patients who rely on them to control heart and breathing problems. 

The last thing we want for our patients is having their bank holiday spoilt by not being able to take regular medication. For those with long-term health problems, taking daily medication is an important part of their treatment, and many are at risk of suffering serious attacks or hospital stays if medical supplies run out.

So with this in mind NHS Lincolnshire ICB is appealing to patients, their families and carers to check now that they have enough daily medication to see them through the break. If they don’t, they should call into their pharmacist or local GP surgery in good time. 

If you become unwell over the bank holiday period or need medical advice when your GP surgery is closed, GP out-of-hours services can be accessed through NHS 111 online or calling NHS 111 free of charge.  

Published 05/12/2022