With the Christmas and New Year bank holidays approaching, NHS Lincolnshire CCG is reminding patients to order their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

This year the bank holiday will extend from Friday 25 December through to Tuesday 29 December

At busy times of year like bank holidays it is important that we spend a few minutes thinking about our health care by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions at least a week in advance of the bank holiday weekend as many GPs and pharmacies will be closed.

Dr Dave Baker, GP and South West Lincolnshire Locality Lead, NHS Lincolnshire CCG, said: "Make sure you renew any regular prescriptions and collect medication before the holidays start as running out of daily medication over this period could have serious consequences for patients who rely on them to control heart and breathing problems.

"The last thing we want for our patients is having their bank holiday spoilt by not being able to take regular medication. For those with long-term health problems, taking daily medication is an important part of their treatment, and many are at risk of suffering serious attacks or hospital stays if medical supplies run out."

So with this in mind, NHS Lincolnshire CCG is appealing to patients, their families and carers to check now that they have enough daily medication to see them through the break. If they don't, they should call into their pharmacist or local GP surgery in good time.

If you become unwell over the bank holiday period or need medical advice when your GP surgery is closed, GP out-of-hours services can be accessed through NHS 111 online or calling NHS 111 free of charge.

Bank holidays are noticeably busy times of year for the NHS so picking up a repeat prescription in advance could help keep staff free to deal with life-threatening emergencies.