With Easter fast approaching, 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 but to only order what they need.

Many GP surgeries will be closed on the bank holidays over Easter, so it is wise for people to think about the medication they will need before the holiday period begins.

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and NHS Southport and Formby CCG chair, said: “There are thousands of people living with a long term health condition in Southport and Formby and we want to make sure that people with these illnesses have a good Easter break. The last thing we want is for people to run out of their medication but it is also important that they don’t over order to avoid unnecessary waste. We don’t want patients to become poorly and have to spend part of their holiday in hospital.”

He added: “We are reminding people about the services on offer to them such as Care at the Chemist and the NHS 111 service which will be invaluable over Easter. A simple visit to your high street chemist could make all the difference. Your pharmacist can give you useful advice on how to deal with common bugs, such as coughs, colds, sore throats and the flu so that you can take precautions and have a great Easter.”

NHS Southport and Formby CCG is also reminding people to examine their options and that A&E and 999 services are for life-threatening and serious conditions.

Download a list of pharmacies near you that are open over the Easter holidays, along with some handy advice about other services that can help.