With Christmas and New Year fast approaching doctors and pharmacies are reminding people to plan ahead and make sure they have the right medicines to see them through the Christmas holidays whilst only ordering what you need.

Those who take regular medication should make sure they have ordered enough to last through the holiday period or ask their GP practice for a new prescription.

Planning ahead like this is very important to help stay well and it also helps the NHS at a time when services are busy.

Clinical pharmacist John Higgins works in a team based in Norwich GP practices, supporting GPs in prescribing and working with patients to ensure they have the right prescription medicines.

He said: “Being prepared is essential at this time of year, this includes ensuring you have sufficient medication for the Christmas period. Most GP surgeries will be closed over the long holiday weekend and whilst there are always pharmacies open, prescription medicines must be ordered in good time.

“Your local pharmacist is a valuable resource – they can provide advice, offer services such as contraception, over-the-counter medicines and of course can provide repeat prescriptions. If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, ask them if they need help collecting their medications.”

It is a message supported by Norfolk’s pharmacies – many of which will be open over Christmas to help people who become ill and need advice and medicines.

Dr Anoop Dhesi, Chair of North Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group said “Your local pharmacist are a valuable resource – they can provide advice, offer services such as contraception, over-the-counter medicines and of course can provide repeat prescriptions. If you have elderly relatives or neighbours, ask them if they need help collecting their medications.”

It is a message supported by all five of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (North Norfolk, South Norfolk, Norwich, Great Yarmouth and Waveney and West Norfolk). And it’s also supported by community pharmacies – many of which will be open over Christmas to help people who become ill and need advice and medicines.

You can see the full list of pharmacies open on Bank Holidays at

www.england.nhs.uk/mids-east/our-work/pharm-info/

It is also important to make sure medicine cabinets contain all the essential items. Medicine cabinet the essentials include:

• painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, including versions for children

• over-the-counter cough, cold, flu and indigestion remedies

• plasters

• bandages

• antiseptic cream

• thermometer

For health information over the festive period please go to:

www.nhs.uk/staywell