People in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire who rely on regular medication to stay well are being reminded to get any upcoming repeat prescriptions in early to avoid running short over the long Easter weekend.

Many pharmacies across the region will close at the end of the day on Thursday 6 April, and not open again until the morning of Tuesday 11 April.

Although a select few across the region will open on the bank holidays, albeit with shorter opening times, people are strongly advised to sort out their medication needs well in advance.

Most prescriptions take around three days to process, so any person nearing the end of their current supply of medication should submit their request to their pharmacy no later than Monday 3 April.

Helen Wilkinson, Community Pharmacy Clinical Lead, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “One of the most common reasons for people needing health and care over a bank holiday weekend is that they have run out of medication.

“Not only does this create problems for the individual, it also puts added demand on the limited NHS services that remain open, most of which are intended to support people needing urgent or emergency care.

“Pharmacy teams will always do their best to process prescriptions as quickly as possible, but getting the request in early, especially in the run up to a long bank holiday weekend, will ensure people get the medicine they need to stay well.”

People who use the ICB’s Prescription Ordering Direct service, often referred to as POD, are also advised to make their requests as early as possible.

The POD service, which recently changed its telephone number to 0333 332 0050, can also be used online, either by sending an email to [email protected] or by filling out the form on the ICB website.

A full list of all the GP practices whose patients are able to order medicine through the Prescription Ordering Direct service can be found online via the ICB website.

This will also be where people can find out which pharmacies are open and when across the Easter weekend, with a full list of opening times due to be added in the coming days.

Visit www.bsw.icb.nhs.uk to find out more, and to view information and updates about all local health and care services.