FAMILY doctors in Somerset are reminding patients to get their repeat prescriptions before the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

The reminder comes as the county’s NHS 111 telephone health helpline line says one of the most common reasons for patients calling the 24 hour service at the weekend and bank holidays is to ask how to get repeat supplies of prescription medicines.

Dr Ed Ford, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group’s GP lead for urgent care services, said: “With the Christmas and New Year holiday just days away we are reminding patients to get their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

“Many patients are now taking a range of medicines to manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Such medications need to be taken every day.

“If patients or their carers think they may run out of prescription medication over the Christmas and New Year holiday they should re-order and collect their medicines before Christmas Eve.”

Helen Mee, regional operations manager for Somerset Doctors Urgent Care, the organisation running Somerset’s NHS 111 and out of hours GP service, said: “NHS 111 call centre staff consistently receive calls from patients anxious and worried because they have run out of their essential prescription medicines.

“Our advice is to save you that worry by ordering your repeat prescription medicines before the Christmas holiday.”

For more information and health advice on staying well this winter visit www.nhs.uk/staywell