Don’t put your health at risk – last chance to order repeat prescriptions before Christmas

Doctors in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are urging the public to order their repeat prescriptions NOW to avoid spending Christmas on the phone to NHS 111. Over 200 people contacted NHS 111 urgent care phone lines last Christmas weekend to order emergency repeat prescriptions after running short of vital medication. Medical Director for North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Dr Steve Fawcett said: “Ordering and collecting prescriptions can take several days, which is why we are reminding everyone that this week is their last chance to order before the holidays. We don’t want a repeat of last year when hundreds of people required urgent assistance from NHS 111 that could so easily have been avoided had they simply ordered their medication in good time. “I’m asking everyone to check their current supply of medication and if they are concerned that they may not have enough to cover the Christmas period, please contact their GP surgery or local pharmacy immediately to arrange a repeat prescription. You can even order repeat prescriptions on the NHS app or your GP’s online service. Something as simple as that can prevent you or your loved ones’ health being put at risk and help ease the pressure on the NHS.” Dr Fawcett also recommends stocking up the home medicine cabinet with a selection of winter health necessities to help treat many common illnesses and ailments in the comfort of your own home:

• A first-aid kit, including bandages, plasters, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings, medical tape for dressings and tweezers

• Pain relief such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen for aches, pains and high temperatures

• Oral rehydration salts to replace lost minerals and fluid after a fever or vomiting and diarrhoea

• Anti-diarrhoea tablets to relieve symptoms of diarrhoea, although these will not help with the underlying cause

• Antihistamines which can help with allergies

• Indigestion relief remedies.

Dr Fawcett added: “We all get minor illnesses during the winter months when the temperature drops so make sure your medicine cabinet has a few winter essentials in it like cold and flu remedies to help you feel better quicker.” For further information about stocking your medicine cabinet, visit: www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/your-medicine-cabinet/ For more advice on online health and prescription services you can visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/online-health-and-prescription-services/