HEALTH professionals in Teignbridge are reminding patients to pick up their repeat prescriptions well before GP practices and pharmacies close for the Christmas holidays.

Each festive season sees many patients calling the NHS 111 helpline because they have run out of medication, leading to unnecessary worry for themselves and increasing pressure on busy urgent care and out-of-hours NHS services.

GP Dr John Whitehead said: ‘With many GP practices closed for the holidays, the out-of-hours GPs are already working flat out to see patients with urgent health issues, so we really don’t want them using their precious time writing repeat prescriptions for patients who could have ordered their medicine before the holidays.’

He added: ‘The free NHS 111 helpline can facilitate the supply of urgent repeat prescriptions for patients with a genuine immediate need - but it’s important to remember that, with the expected high workload during this holiday period, patients should take all reasonable steps to ensure they have adequate supplies.’

He urged people to check they had enough of their prescription medication to get them through the holidays.