Patients who take regular medication are being reminded by NHS Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to ensure they have enough repeat medicines in stock to last them over the bank holiday when their GP Practice will be closed.
Running out of daily medication could have serious consequences, particularly for patients who rely on them to control heart and breathing problems.
People are also being urged to use choose the right medical services over the bank holidays. If medical advice is required or patients become unwell and their GP surgery is closed, they are advised to first call NHS 111, a fast and easy way to get the right help at any time. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones. A&E is there for serious and life-threatening injuries and conditions only.
Dr Nicola Smith, GP and Chair of NHS Milton Keynes CCG, said, “Some simple preparations in advance of the bank holiday weekend can benefit patients and health services alike.
“It’s often easy for people to overlook the August bank holiday when it comes to ordering repeat prescriptions, which is why we are advising anyone who regularly orders a repeat prescription to order it at least a week before their medication is due to run out.
“The bank holiday is a time best spent with friends and family, and not at your local A&E department. By taking simple measures to keep healthy, such as keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet, and knowing what services are available to you if you do become ill, will help make the best use of your time, and ensure that emergency services are left free to treat serious cases.
"If you do become unwell or need medical advice then some pharmacies will be open during the bank holiday weekend. They can advise on how to deal with common ailments. When your GP surgery is closed, please be assured that GP out-of-hours services can be accessed by calling the free, 24-hour, NHS 111 health line.”
Local pharmacy opening hours in Milton Keynes over the bank holiday can be found on the CCG website: http://www.miltonkeynesccg.nhs.uk/pharmacies/
For other local NHS services in Milton Keynes including information on walk-in centres, urgent care centres or minor injuries units go to ww.nhs.uk/service-search. Patients can type in their postcode on the website to find their nearest available services.
