Public Urged To Order Repeat Prescriptions

As we approach the Christmas and New Year holidays, patients on regular medication are urged to plan ahead and order their repeat prescriptions.

Some 15,000 calls have been made to GP Out of Hours services from people who have ran out of medicine or forgotten to order their repeat prescriptions. This type of request is among the top five reasons for why people contact the Out of Hours service.

As part of the 'Stay Well This Winter' campaign, the Health and Social Care Board is reminding patients to look after themselves by ordering the medication that will help them stay well this winter.

Dr Margaret O'Brien, Head of General Medical Services at the Health and Social Care Board said: "The Out of Hours service is for people who require urgent medical care which can't wait until their daytime GP reopens. So we are encouraging people to plan ahead and order their medicine before their GP closes for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

"With a little planning, you will have peace of mind during the holidays, without worrying about running out of medicine or waiting for an Out of Hours nurse of doctor to call you back. This will also help us ensure that those who genuinely require urgent care can get through and be seen quicker, making the best use of finite resources."

Below is a list of useful resources and links for use over the holiday period:

• Pharmacy Opening Hours

• GP Contact Details

• GP Out of Hours

• Emergency Departments



(JG/CM)