Get repeat prescriptions in early before the Easter weekend

Many pharmacies across the region will close at the end of the day on Thursday 6 April, and not open again until the morning of Tuesday 11 April.  

Although a select few across the region will open on the bank holidays, albeit with shorter opening times, people are strongly advised to sort out their medication needs well in advance.  

Most prescriptions take around three days to process, so any person nearing the end of their current supply of medication should submit their request to their pharmacy no later than Monday 3 April.  

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead at Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB), said:

“One of the most common reasons for people needing health and care over a bank holiday weekend is that they have run out of medication.  

“Not only does this create problems for the individual, it also puts added demand on the limited NHS services that remain open, most of which are intended to support people needing urgent or emergency care.   

“Pharmacy teams will always do their best to process prescriptions as quickly as possible, but getting the request in early, especially in the run up to a long bank holiday weekend, will ensure people get the medicine they need to stay well.” 

New number for POD service 

People who use the Prescription Ordering Direct service, often referred to as POD, are also advised to make their requests as early as possible.  

The POD service, which recently changed its phone number to 0333 332 0050, can also be used online, either by sending an email to 
bswicb.podemergency@nhs.net or by filling out the form on the BSW ICB website.  

The ICB website will also be where people can find out which pharmacies are open  across the Easter weekend, with a full list of opening times due to be added in the coming days.