This is the date people in Greater Manchester should order their prescriptions by

Pharmacists have issued a warning to people in Greater Manchester as the Christmas and New Year holidays approach.

The region’s leading pharmacists are reminding the public to order repeat prescriptions in good time.

Many GP practices and pharmacies will have different opening hours over Christmas and New Year and will be closed on Wednesday 25th December and Thursday 26th December, then again over the New Year period on Wednesday 1st January 2025 – making it harder for patients to access medicines at short notice.

Greater Manchester’s NHS is reminding anyone who takes regular medicines on repeat prescription to check they have enough to last them through the holidays and any Christmas getaways – making sure they order what they need to tide them over from their

GP surgery by Friday 13th December at the latest.

Every bank holiday and festive season, NHS 111 sees huge increases in people getting in touch because they’ve run out of a prescription medicine, says NHS Greater Manchester. This could result in increased pressure on already stretched emergency and urgent care services.

“By being prepared, you can save yourself time and ensure NHS 111 is there for those who really need it during the busy winter months.

“But in the event that they don’t have enough, please do still contact NHS 111 who will be able to help,” said a spokesperson for the health service.

Chief Pharmacist for NHS Greater Manchester, Kenny Li said: “It’s important for anyone who takes medication regularly to ensure they have enough to last them over Christmas and New Year – especially if you are planning any trips to see family in another part of the country, or abroad – so that you don’t risk running out.

“Planning ahead, re-stocking your medicine cabinets with both prescription and everyday medicines for cold and flu and knowing when your GP practice and local pharmacy is open means you have one less thing to worry about so you can simply enjoy the festivities with family and friends. But please still ensure that you’re only ordering prescription medication if you need it so that we don’t risk any shortages for those that really do.

“Ordering your repeat prescription has never been easier – either put your order in through the NHS App or order as you usually would.”

Running out of medications can have serious consequences

Last year’s inaugural December campaign by the North West Ambulance Service aimed to reduce the high volume of repeat prescription enquiries to the

NHS 111 service. The campaign achieved a 25% drop in calls for repeat prescriptions in December 2023 compared with December 2022.

However, calls remain higher than necessary. Over 18,000 repeat prescription-related calls were made to the NHS 111 service last winter (Dec 2023 – Feb 2024), making it the third most common reason for contact.

The chief pharmacist for the whole of the north west, Karen O’Brien, highlighted the importance of being prepared: “Keeping medicine cabinets stocked, knowing when GPproctosenesper and planning for

repeat prescriptions will ensure you can make the most of the of Christmas and New Year. “

Dr Paula Cowan, the region’s lead GP and Medical Director for Primary Care, issued a stark warning about the dangers of running out of medication over the festive period. “Running out of your usual medication can have serious consequences, especially if you use them to control a heart condition, breathing problems or have a health condition such as diabetes,” she said.

Dr Cowan said that by ordering ahead of time: “This enables your practice and pharmacy to have your prescription ready in time for you. This is particularly important ahead of Christmas and New Year and with seasonal pressures already mounting across NHS services in the north west where A&E departments and GP practices are already exceptionally busy. Please help us to help you and avoid any gaps in your medication and a possible emergency trip to your GP, out of hours service or A&E departments.”

The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is by using GP online services, via the NHS App or through your GP practice website, says the NHS. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.

In addition to ordering repeat medications, the NHS App enables individuals to book and cancel appointments at their GP practice, view their health record, and seek health advice. This includes searching trusted NHS information and advice on hundreds of conditions and treatments.

The NHS App can be downloaded from the app store or Google Play. Over the festive period, urgent and emergency care services will remain open.

Where to go for hero as the weather gets colder