Plan for your health this Easter bank holiday
Ahead of the Easter bank holiday, we are encouraging people in north west London to plan ahead for their medications, by ordering repeat prescriptions early and stocking up on any medication for any existing health conditions.
Over the long weekend, some GP surgeries and pharmacies may be closed, or working reduced hours so it is important for Londoners to take this into consideration when planning for their healthcare needs during this time.
Pharmacists are well advised to support with minor medical problems and a list of services that will be open over the long weekend can be found on the NHS London website, as well as the NHS Find a Pharmacy site, which will be updated regularly to show the opening hours of local pharmacies over the bank holidays.
If people are unsure whether urgent medical or dental care is needed over the Easter break, NHS 111 online remains the best first port of call where a trained adviser will provide the best care pathway.
Tina Benson, chief operating officer, said:
While we of course will continue to be providing care across many services in the capital over the bank holidays, we do anticipate emergency departments to be busier, so it’s important for people to prepare early where you can, to look after yourself, friends and family with any long-term health conditions and avoid any preventable trips to A&E.
I am encouraging people to collect any repeat prescriptions in plenty of time to ensure you have enough medication to last over the Easter bank holiday weekend and can enjoy the days off without any concern for your health.
If you aren’t sure if you need to visit A&E for a medical problem, NHS 111 online will give you fast healthcare advice and next steps. However, if you have a life-threatening emergency, call 999 as soon as you can.