Get ready for Easter!

This year, the Easter bank holidays are on Friday 3 and Monday 6 April.  

GPs and many pharmacies will be closed over the long bank holiday weekend, so it’s important to plan ahead for your health needs. 

 Use the information on this page to help you: 

  • request and collect repeat prescriptions 
  • restock your home medicine kit 
  • check which local NHS services are available if you need urgent help 

Request and collect repeat prescriptions 

If you have repeat medication, it’s important to request your repeat prescription up to five working days before you need it. To avoid any delays, we recommend you request your prescription by Friday 27 March. 

There are three ways to order a repeat prescription from your GP surgery: 

  • On the NHS应用程序  
  • On other online services (ask your GP which service they use) 
  • By contacting your GP surgery, by phone or in person

When ordering, you can choose which pharmacy you want your prescription to be delivered to. 

Find out more about your options on the national NHS website. 

Restock your home medicine kit

The NHS recommends you have a home medicine kit with basic over-the-counter products to treat minor ailments and injuries. This in inexpensive and will help you cope with unexpected problems like headaches, cuts and grazes, and tummy upsets.

Key items include:

  • Pain relief (paracetomol, ibuprofen)
  • Antihistamines
  • Antacids
  • Oral rehydration salts
  • A digital thermometer
  • A first-aid kit with bandages and plasters

Restock your home medicine kit before Easter. Your pharmacist will be able to advise on the products you need.

Find out which NHS services are available

GPs and many pharmacies will be closed over the Easter bank holiday weekend, but local NHS services are available if you need urgent help.

Make sure you use the right service to avoid delays and unnecessary trips.

Emergency pharmacies

The NHS makes sure there are always some emergency pharmacies available over bank holidays and weekends. These can provide some emergency medicines and other support. You can find your nearest emergency pharmacist on the national NHS website.

Urgent treatment centres and minor injury units

These services provide walk-in treatment for urgent, but non-emergency injuries. In our area we have centres in Yate, Clevedon and South Bristol (Hengrove). They all operate over weekends and bank holidays. You can find opening times on the Sirona 护理与健康网站.

NHS 111

If you think you need medical help right away contact NHS 111 在线服务 or by phone, at any time. They will assess you and direct you to the right service for your needs. This could include an out-of-hours GP, urgent dentistry or an emergency pharmacist. If necessary, they can also dispatch an ambulance to you. For urgent mental health crisis support, dial 111 and select Option 2.

Make sure you contact NHS 111 first if you are thinking of going to A&E, but it is not a life-threatening emergency.