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  • Writer's pictureHealthwatch Southend

Accessing healthcare services over the Easter bank holiday

Updated: Apr 3

A photo of two yellow daffodils

Make sure you're ready for the upcoming bank holidays over the Easter period (Friday 29 March to Monday 1 April) by ordering your repeat prescriptions in advance and learning how you can access the healthcare services you need.


NHS Mid and South Essex have shared the following advice to help you get prepared.


Order repeat prescriptions


Order your repeat prescriptions online via GP services, through your practice’s website or on the NHS App. Alternatively, you can phone your GP practice to order your prescriptions if you do not have access to do this online.


If you have a long-term repeat prescription, speak to your GP about electronic repeat dispensing. This allows your doctor to sign off 12 months’ worth of prescriptions at once. This means you'll be able to collect your prescription whenever you need it, without having to place a regular order with your GP practice.


Use your local pharmacy


Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. They can also provide some prescription medicines for certain conditions, in needed, without a GP appointment. You can get care directly from a pharmacist for conditions including earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women ages 16-64 from local pharmacies. They are open late, on weekends and during Bank Holidays with no appointment needed.



Dental services


If you need urgent dental treatment over the Easter period, you should contact your usual dentist in the first instance. If you can't or you don't have one visit 111.nhs.uk.


If an urgent appointment is needed, you will be provided with details of your local out of hours service.


Mental health


Adults experiencing a mental health crisis, can speak to a mental health professional anytime, day or night, by calling NHS 111 and selecting the option for mental health. Call 0800 995 1000 for under 18s who need urgent mental health support.


For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, visit the NHS website.


If it is a life-threatening emergency or if you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm, either to yourself or someone else, always phone 999.


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