Get repeat prescriptions in now to avoid being left short this Easter weekend

Many pharmacies across Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will close at the end of the day on Thursday 17 April, and not reopen until the morning of Tuesday 22 April. 

With the average prescription taking approximately one week to process, people needing medicine for Easter should aim to get their requests in no later than Thursday 10 April. 

More common medicines may be available sooner, however, the advice is still to get prescriptions in as early as possible. 

A select number of pharmacies will remain open across the region on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday for anyone in need of an urgent prescription. 

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: 

"We have a great network of pharmacies in our region, and teams will always do whatever they can to turn prescription requests around in the shortest possible time.

"During busy times, however, some requests may take a day or two longer than normal, which is why it is always advisable to get prescriptions in early, especially in the run-up to a long bank holiday weekend.

"Our colleagues at NHS 111 regularly tell us that during holiday periods, such as Christmas and Easter, their phone lines become inundated with calls from people who have run out of the medicine they need to stay well. 

"And with the service primarily there to provide help to people requiring urgent care, it is vitally important that the clinicians who answer the calls are able to focus their attention on those most in need."

Most people can now order their repeat prescriptions online, either through the website of their GP practice or via the NHS App, which can be downloaded for free to any tablet or smartphone.

Details of which pharmacies will be staying open on the three Easter bank holidays can be found by using the Find a Pharmacy search tool on the NHS website, which is available at www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.

Easter opening times for all pharmacies located in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire will also be shared on the ICB website and across its social media channels. 

As well as providing prescriptions, community pharmacies can support people with a range of on-the-spot services, including information on how to manage minor illnesses and advice on how to treat simple symptoms at home. 

Pharmacists can now also prescribe antibiotics for seven common conditions, which are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

 Further information on the services available at local pharmacies can be found online at www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth/pharmacies.