Published Wednesday 20 December 2017 at 13:06
With under a week to go until Christmas, people with long term health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, lung and heart disease are being reminded not to leave it too late to get their repeat prescriptions. Many GP practices will have limited opening hours between Christmas and New Year, which means some people, may struggle if they run out of their medication.
Dr Preeti Shukla, Clinical Lead at both Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) said:
We want to make sure that people with these illnesses have a good Christmas and New Year. There is a real danger that if they have problems with their medication, they could end up seriously ill and even in hospital, which is the last thing they want over Christmas.
My advice is to check your medication is up to date and if necessary contact your GP practice for a repeat prescription or for a check-up.
I would also urge people to be prepared should you become ill over the winter period. Every home should have a basic medicine cabinet stocked with:
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Paracetamol
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Ibuprofen
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Cough medicine
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An antacid for indigestion
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Throat lozenges
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Plasters/Bandages for any cuts or scrapes
Your local high street pharmacy can help you deal with minor illnesses and complaints such as coughs, colds, flu, stomach upsets, aches and sprains. To find your local NHS service go to www.nhs.uk and use the free service finder.
For further information visit:
http://www.blackburnwithdarwenccg.nhs.uk/health/winter-health/
http://eastlancsccg.nhs.uk/patient-information/your-health/winter-health-info
https://www.facebook.com/EastLancsCCG
https://www.facebook.com/BwDCCG/