THE NHS in Cheshire and Merseyside has issued advice ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.
One key warning being issued by the NHS is regarding patients with repeat prescriptions, with the service explaining that patients should double-check their stock of medication due to delays that could be caused over the bank holiday.
When prescriptions are ordered normally, there is a delay of a couple of days before the prescription can be made available - these delays will be made worse by the bank holiday weekend, the NHS says.
The NHS is also warning patients regarding the strain the service is under at the moment.
One such strain is the current spate of junior doctors' strikes that are taking place as a result of a dispute over working conditions.
At an NHS Cheshire and Merseyside board meeting today, March 30, chief executive Graham Urwin highlighted the upcoming industrial action of junior doctors: "Junior doctors deliver a massive proportion of day-to-day care and there will be a significant impact."
The service is urging anyone with issues that cannot wait until the next working day to still reach out for medical attention.
Responding to a national survey showing satisfaction in the NHS is at an all-time low, Graham Urwin reflects that only reducing waiting times and improving access to care will change this. He notes ongoing strong public support for NHS staff.
— NHS Cheshire and Merseyside (@NHSCandM) March 30, 2023
A statement from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside reads: "If you have an urgent healthcare need that can’t wait till the next working day, it’s still possible to speak to a GP in the evening, at weekends and on bank holidays.
"If you call your GP practice outside of office hours, you will hear a recorded message, with details of how to get in touch with a GP. This may be through contacting NHS 111.
"The NHS 111 online service offers quick advice and the best options for getting the care you need, including getting a call back from a trained clinician or nurse, booking an appointment in A&E or providing advice on how to help you recover.
"You can use the NHS App to put in a request for a repeat prescription or check your GP practice website for details of how to order a repeat prescription."
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