Order medication before closures

Health chiefs from North Kirklees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have asked people to check they have enough medication to last three days, before their GP practice closes on Monday.

The CCG warned that forgetting to secure prescriptions before the mass closure “puts a lot of work” on out-of-hours services, which will already be stretched thin to plug the doctor shortage during the bank holiday period.

CCG chairman Dr David Kelly said: “It’s often easy for people to overlook the bank holiday when it comes to ordering repeat prescriptions, but forgetting to get enough supplies can put a lot of strain on out-of-hours services which are there to deal with urgent health problems – not to issue repeat prescriptions.

“The message is simple: if you have a repeat prescription, please check that you have enough to last over the three days that your GP practice is closed.

“That way you don’t risk getting ill if you run out or have to take up an out-of-hours GP’s time to issue another prescription.”

Health chiefs also urged people to only call 999 if they require an ambulance.

The NHS’ 111 telephone service is available for those who need quick medical advice and help but is not intended as a 999 emergency number.