Local people are being urged to consider the full range of NHS services available to them in the event of becoming poorly over the bank holiday weekend, and to plan ahead now to make sure they have a sufficient supply of their medication.
Between Friday 18th and Monday 21st April all GP Practices on the Island will be closed. This means that any requests for repeat prescriptions need to be made well in advance. The Beacon Health Centre at St. Mary’s Hospital have previously seen an overwhelming number of patients contact them requesting a repeat prescription for their regular medication as they had not checked their supply in advance and had run out over the Easter break.
The Beacon Health Centre provides a service over the holiday weekend however it should not be used for routine and ongoing health problems including the issue of repeat prescriptions. For minor conditions advice should be sought from your local Pharmacy wherever possible or the free to call NHS 111 helpline. Advice and information is also available on the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk.
Dr Mark Denman-Johnson, Medical Director of the Beacon Centre, said:
“We expect the Easter Holiday weekend to be busy as people visit the Island and return home for Easter but anyone concerned about a medical condition should contact their GP before the holiday weekend if it is getting worse, will not go away, and especially if it is significantly affecting their daily activities.”
“The volume of patients we have previously seen attend the out of hours service requesting a routine repeat prescription could have been avoided with some thought beforehand.
“It is important people take responsibility for their own medication and make sure they have a supply available at home at all times and enough to see them through the four day weekend. I am sure patients would prefer to be out enjoying themselves rather than waiting to see a GP in a very busy clinic. Unnecessary visits to the Beacon Centre put an even greater pressure on our services and can mean that some people have to wait that bit longer to see a GP.”
Common complaints which can be treated at home with advice from the pharmacist include:
• Skin conditions, such as mild acne and mild eczema
• Coughs and colds including nasal congestion and sore throat
• Minor cuts and bruises
• Constipation and haemorrhoids (piles)
• Hay fever and allergies
• Aches, pains, such as headaches, earaches and backaches
• Indigestion, diarrhoea and threadworms
• Period pain and thrush
• Warts and verrucas, mouth ulcer and cold sores
• Athletes foot
• Nappy rash and teething
The 111 service, which is available 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year, should be called if medical help is needed fast, but it’s not a 999 emergency. 111 is free to call from landlines and mobiles and is staffed by a team of fully trained call advisers on the Island, supported by nurses, paramedics and doctors, who are on hand to assess callers’ needs and ensure they receive the right service as quickly as possible. It guides patients to a locally available service or provides appropriate advice and information.
