People reminded about healthcare options ahead of August bank holiday

With the August bank holiday fast approaching, the Trust is reminding people to plan ahead by ordering any repeat prescriptions they may need and knowing what to do if they, or a family member, becomes unwell.

The NHS is advising that repeat prescriptions should be ordered seven days ahead of the bank holiday to allow enough time for prescriptions to be processed and for any potential issues to be addressed before the holidays.

Using the NHS App is the quickest and easiest way to order repeat prescriptions at a time that is convenient to you. You can also use it to choose which pharmacy you’d like your medication to be sent to, and to track the progress of your order.

If you require medical advice or assistance but it’s not an emergency, you can use the NHS 111 service by visiting 111.nhs.uk or call 111 to speak to a trained healthcare professional who will guide you on the best course of action.

Dr Peter Williams, Medical Director of Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “If you take regular medications, please remember to plan ahead and order any repeat prescriptions you will need in plenty of time before the August bank holiday, when GP practices are closed, and some pharmacies will also be closed or opening with reduced hours.

“Don’t wait for your prescription to run out if you rely on regular medication to manage a condition, as it can take time for your request to be processed by your GP practice and dispensed by your pharmacy. We advise planning around seven days in advance.”

Dr Williams is also urging people to make sure they know how to access urgent care over the bank holiday weekend.

He added: "We want to remind people that our hospitals can often become very busy over a long bank holiday weekend when other health services are closed.

“To help us ensure that our busy ambulance services and hospital A&E departments are kept free for those who need them most – we are reminding people to make NHS 111 their first point of call for all non-life-threatening healthcare treatment and advice or medical help if you're not sure where to go.”

The NHS 111 service offers advice and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Simply visit 111.nhs.uk or use the NHS app. You can also dial 111 if it’s for someone under five or if you’re unable to use the online service.  You should still call 999 or go straight to A&E in an emergency situation when someone is seriously ill or injured, and you think their life may be at risk.

NHS 111 will help you get the right advice and treatment when you urgently need it. Depending on our situation they can arrange for a nurse, doctor, or paramedic to ring you back, or book you an appointment at a local pharmacy, urgent treatment centre, or hospital A&E department if needed.”

For advice and treatment for minor health concerns, people can also use the ‘Pharmacy First’ service which allows pharmacists to assess and treat patients for common conditions - without the need for a GP appointment or prescription first.

Simply drop in to your local pharmacy and ask for advice – but do remember to call ahead to check their bank holiday opening hours. Search for your nearest pharmacy and opening times at: www.nhs.uk/find-a-pharmacy

Parents and carers are also reminded that if a child is unwell, you can visit the Alder Hey online symptom checker for helpful advice on how to treat your child at home, and when to seek further medical help. Go to: www.alderhey.nhs.uk/conditions/symptoms-checker

More information about options for urgent care is available at: www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services