Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) is urging residents to ensure that they have enough supply of any medications they need to last them over the festive period.
GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the Christmas period, and many will be closed from Friday 23 December to Wednesday 28 December, and again over the New Year period, making it more challenging for patients to access medicines at short notice. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the festive break puts added pressure on already busy services.
Fiona Garnett, Associate Director – Medicines Optimisation, BLMK ICB, said:
“It’s very important to check your medication supply to ensure that you have enough to last over the Christmas period. GP practices and pharmacies have limited opening hours during this time and running out of your medication can have serious impacts on your health, which is the last thing anyone would want at Christmas.
“There are many different ways that you can order your repeat prescriptions, including online via your GP practice website, via the NHS App or by calling your GP Practice.”
If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, they can check their symptoms and get access to advice using 111.nhs.uk online or by calling 111. NHS 111 is a free service which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NHS 111 will be able to assess you and point you to the right service for you, based on your symptoms – whether that be to a GP, A&E or self-care – and can arrange a call back from a nurse, doctor or other trained health professional should you need it, to get you the support that you need.
Selected community pharmacies are open over the Christmas period. You can find your local community pharmacy opening times below:
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