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

Some community pharmacies and all GP surgeries will be closed during the bank holidays, so patients are being encouraged to order their repeat prescriptions as quickly as possible.  

You can order a repeat prescription through the NHS App. There is more information about how to get the App at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/. Once set up, prescriptions can be sent your GP practice directly to your local community pharmacy for collection or even delivery.

Many GP practices offer an online repeat prescription service via their websites, and patients who do not have online access can call their surgery to order their repeat medications.

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 for four days over Christmas and three days over the New Year bank holiday 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 can be found on the NHS website https://www.england.nhs.uk/south-east/our-work/pharmacy-opening-hours/