Public advised to get bank holiday ready and support already-busy local NHS

With the late summer bank holiday expected to add extra pressure to the already very busy NHS in Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire, local people are being encouraged to show their support by getting prepared ahead of time.

Many local health and care services, including GP practices and pharmacies, will be closed on Monday 25 August, meaning people needing routine health and care, as well as those collecting prescriptions, will need to make alternative arrangements.

The best way for people to get bank holiday ready is to start planning early, which means replenishing any medication that may be running low and knowing which nearby health and care services are open and when during the long weekend.

As most repeat prescriptions can take up to a couple of days to be processed, people needing to top-up their medicines should do so as early as possible. 

Dr Barry Coakley, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, said: “The last few months has seen our NHS overcome some significant challenges, such as spells of prolonged warm weather and the recent industrial action by resident doctors.

“Now, in the run up to another difficult time, we are once again asking local people to show their support and do what they can to help us get through what we know will be a very busy few days.

“Choosing the right health and care service, which for many will be a combination of self-care and following the advice of NHS 111 online, is what really makes the difference at busy times, as it helps to keep services free for those in genuine need of urgent and emergency treatment.

“We remain incredibly grateful for all the support shown to us by our local communities, both now and over the last few weeks, and we thank people once again for their continued cooperation and understanding.”

NHS 111 – www.111.nhs.uk – is available 24/7, and can provide patient-specific help and advice, as well as guidance on treating minor illness and injury at home, direct to any smartphone, laptop or tablet.

A small number of pharmacies will be open across the region on Monday 25 August, with the sites able to provide emergency prescriptions, information on medicines and private consultations for minor ailments.
Pharmacists can now also prescribe antibiotics for seven common conditions, meaning people can get treatment without needing to first see a GP.

The seven conditions are sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, which is a contagious skin condition, shingles and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.

Details of which pharmacies will be open on the bank holiday can be found online by through the Find a Pharmacy tool on the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/service-search/pharmacy/find-a-pharmacy.

Information on all other local health and care services is available through www.bswtogether.org.uk/yourhealth.