As the bank holiday approaches and we are all making plans about how we’d like to spend a valuable extra day with friends or family, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is reminding people to remember to order their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.
Most GP practices across Bradford and Craven will close on Friday, May 4 and will not reopen until Tuesday, May 8, meaning today (Wednesday, May 2) may be your last chance to order a repeat prescription ahead of the bank holiday period.
Dr Dave Tatham, GP and clinical lead for urgent and emergency care at Bradford District and Craven CCGs said: “Bank holidays can be great fun but don’t forget that having that extra day to yourself can mean it will take a day longer to receive your medication if you need a repeat prescription.
“People who don’t have enough medicines can put a lot of strain on emergency services that are there to deal with life-threatening and urgent health problems – not to issue repeat prescriptions.
“If you do need repeat medicines during the bank holiday period, call NHS 111 who can arrange an emergency supply.”
Many NHS staff will be working over the bank holiday period and there are steps we can all take to make sure we use the most appropriate service for our needs to support our busy health service.
NHS 111
If it’s an urgent healthcare need but not a life-threatening emergency, call NHS 111 free on a landline or mobile phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dr Tatham added: “If you need health advice over the bank holiday and it’s not a life-threatening emergency, you can call in to see your local pharmacist.
“Pharmacists are highly trained experts who can provide free and friendly advice on a range of health conditions and medication, without the need for an appointment.”
Pharmacies stock a range of useful items so you can look after yourself at home should you need to. They include pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, cough, cold and sore throat remedies, anti-diarrhoea treatments, indigestion remedies, simple dressing and plasters and antihistamines for common allergies such as hay fever.
Details of pharmacies open over the bank holiday period are available here: http://www.bradforddistrictsccg.nhs.uk.
You can also check your symptoms and find information on a wide range of common illnesses and conditions on NHS Choices – www.nhs.uk – the UK’s largest health website.
You should only attend your local A&E department or dial 999 in a critical or life-threatening situation. For example, loss of consciousness, fits that are not stopping, persistent and severe chest pain, severe breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that can’t be stopped, slurred speech, a face that drops on one side or weakness or numbness on one side of the body.