Still time to order and collect your repeat prescriptions for Christmas and New Year


As well as buying presents and posting Christmas cards, getting any repeat prescriptions early should be on everyone’s to-do list. That’s why local health leaders are encouraging residents in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to think ahead and ensure they have enough medication at home to cover the festive break.

Most GP practices and pharmacies will be closed over the Christmas and New Year bank holidays so it’s important to order and pick up repeat prescriptions in good time.

Dr Geeta Iyer, local GP and Clinical Lead for Primary Care Development at NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB, said:

“With so much going on this winter, it is easy to forget about those other everyday essentials such as prescription medicine. By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed, and saves you the worry of having to arrange an emergency prescription.

“It’s also important that as many people as possible get their flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. If we all plan ahead for the holiday season, hopefully we can have a healthy and stress-free Christmas.”

There are some simple steps that residents can take in order to be prepared this Christmas:

  • Check how much medication you have left and make sure you have enough to cover you over the Christmas and New Year period. Order repeat prescriptions early and collect before Christmas. You can order online, through the NHS App or through your GP surgery.
  • Check that you have home medicine basics you’d need to treat very minor ailments like coughs, colds, allergic reactions or cuts and scrapes. Pharmacists can advise on the products that you should have at home in case of need. There is also information on how to treat common winter ailments on the ICB website.
  • Make sure you know where to go for help if you do run out of medication – a small number of pharmacies will be open and can dispense emergency prescriptions. Use the NHS find a pharmacy tool to find your nearest pharmacy or contact NHS 111 if you are in urgent need.
  • Get your Covid-19 and flu vaccines and boosters. See grabajab.net for more information.