HEALTH AND CARE: Think ahead before the bank holiday

Latest figures show that one in four calls to the local GP out of hours service on a Saturday is due to people running out of routine medication.

With this May Bank Holiday approaching, we are keen for people to think about what medicines you need and make sure you have enough at home.

And if you don’t, or you are running low, think ahead and contact your GP practice to order more or register online at Patient Online and renew your prescriptions.

The out of hours doctors are available for people who need urgent medical help and treatment; the service is not designed for more routine problems like repeat prescriptions.

At the moment, the 111 phone lines are busy at the weekend with people who need repeat prescriptions, with hundreds of people calling for medicines that they have run out of.

We want to do all we can to make sure that the right team is available when you really need NHS help, and we can make sure you get the support you need.

Coastal West Sussex as an area has one of the highest rates of calls to 111 from people because they have run out of routine medication, and we want to change that.

As we approach a Bank Holiday weekend, we want to make sure that NHS services are available for people who need help, and you don’t have to wait any longer than necessary if you are trying to get an appointment with an out of hours doctor, or find out where you can get urgent medical attention.

With this in mind, if you do need regular medicines, please plan ahead and think about your repeat prescriptions before the bank holiday weekend.

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