Don't forget to put 'order repeat prescription' on your Christmas to do list

This winter, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is urging people across the North West to remember to order their repeat prescriptions ahead of the Christmas bank holiday.

Last winter, NHS 111 handled more than 18,000 calls related to repeat prescription medications, making it the third most common reason for contacting the service during that period.

Demand for repeat prescription medications significantly spikes around bank holidays, as seen over the August bank holiday weekend, when the service received 2,405 calls—an 81 per cent jump compared to the 1,326 calls recorded over the three days of the previous week.

Paul Johnston, Integrated Contact Centres (ICC) Service delivery manager for NHS 111, stresses the importance of planning ahead this Christmas,

He said: “By ordering your repeat prescriptions in advance, you can help ease the pressure on our health services, like NHS 111, and ensure you have everything you need over the holidays. Running out of essential medication can have serious consequences, and we want you to enjoy a healthy, stress-free festive season.

“Please also remember to only order what you actually need. Every year, a significant amount of medication goes to waste. Before requesting your prescription, check what you already have at home and only order what you are running low on.”

Steve Riley, deputy regional chief pharmacist at NHS England North West said: “The last thing anyone wants during the festive season is to be worrying about their medication running out. Planning ahead, re-ordering the prescription medications that you need, re-stocking your medicine cabinets and knowing when your GP practice is open means that you can focus on what’s most important at Christmas and New Year, being with your friends and family.

"Community pharmacies can support your medicines and health needs during the festive season.”

The simplest way to order repeat prescriptions is through the NHS website or mobile app using an NHS account. Alternatively, prescriptions can also be requested directly through your GP practice.