Make sure you have your prescriptions ahead of Christmas

With the Christmas and New Year bank holidays fast approaching, people across Oxfordshire are reminded to order repeat prescriptions in plenty of time for the festive period.

Some community pharmacies and all GP surgeries will be closed over the bank holidays, so people are being encouraged to order their repeat prescriptions as quickly as possible by the following:

• Many GP practices offer an online repeat prescription service on their websites.
• Patients who do not have online access can call their surgery for repeat medications; you can collect it in person, or your practice can send it to a pharmacy of your choice.
• You can also order a repeat prescription via the NHS app. Once set up, prescriptions can be sent to a high street pharmacy for collection or delivery if available.

Dr Abid Irfan, director of primary care at the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, said: "Help yourself stay well over the Christmas and New Year holidays by making sure you have enough of your medication to see you through. GP practices are closed over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays and many pharmacies will have different opening times.

"It's best to order your usual medications well in advance, especially if you're going away. And you can also help by checking with more vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours that they have the medications they need.

"If you do run out of your medication, NHS 111 online can offer advice on how to get an emergency supply. But it's always best to be prepared."

Opening times of pharmacies during the Christmas and New Year bank holidays are on the NHS website:

NHS England — South East » Pharmacy information