Plea for repeat prescription users to plan ahead

SCAS said demand is already high for 111 on bank holidays

The NHS trust that runs 999 and 111 services across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire has urged patients who take regular medication to plan ahead to avoid running out.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said urgent calls for repeat prescriptions had risen sharply over the past year and asked people to be aware of what they needed, especially before bank holidays.

New figures show calls to 111 for urgent repeat prescriptions rose by 61%, with demand highest on bank holidays when the service is already busy.

It said other alternatives rather than calling 111 included using the NHS app and 111 online, with both free to use and usually quicker than phoning.

"You may have noticed a change in services at your local pharmacy - if you haven't yet, it's really important to know that you can no longer request repeat prescriptions via your pharmacy," Jonathan Osmond, locality manager for integrated urgent care and NHS 111 at SCAS, said.

"This must now be done via the NHS App or via your own GP practice. This is to ensure that all medication requests are clinically reviewed and safely managed."