Know how to stay on top of prescriptions – festive advice from NHS 24.
NHS 24 are advising people in Scotland to check their prescription medication and ensure they have enough to last throughout the festive holidays.
Dr John McAnaw, a pharmacist and NHS 24’s Associate Clinical Director, explains why it’s essential that people put health at the top of their festive ‘to-do’ list,
‘Over the holidays every year, NHS 24 receives thousands of calls from the public who have run out of essential prescribed medication. This can obviously be a very stressful situation for most people, however, by being organised and ordering any required prescriptions in advance, this would avoid this scenario and ensure that the 111 service can help more people who require urgent healthcare advice.
‘Due to both Christmas and Hogmanay falling on a weekend this year, many pharmacies and healthcare providers will be closed for a period of four days on each occasion. Therefore it is so important that people plan ahead, order only what they need and pick it up in plenty of time before these holidays.
‘To ensure you have all medication you require, please check what medication you already have and order any additional supplies you need by Friday 16th December. This will give both your GP practice and pharmacy time to process requests at what is already a very busy time of year for them.’
Dr McAnaw’s advice is part of a NHS Scotland national health campaign ‘Healthy Know How.’ The campaign provides advice on how to stay well and enjoy the festivities, avoiding the need to get medical help over the holidays.
Tips include:
- Know how to stay on top of prescriptions. Order only what is needed and pick them up in plenty of time before the festive holidays.
- Know how to be prepared for common illnesses. Ensure you have some remedies in the house.
- Know how to check symptoms if you do become unwell. NHS inform’s symptom checkers can give you all the health advice you need online.
- Know how to get the right care, in the right place. Further medical advice can be found during the week by contacting your GP, pharmacist, dentist or optometrist. For out of hours or during holiday closures call NHS 24 on 111.
More details on the Healthy Know How campaign can be found here –
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