People in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire nearing the end of their current supply of regularly prescribed medication are advised not to leave it to the last minute when ordering their next batch.
Pharmacies in the region will close for Christmas on Friday 22 December and not open again until at least Wednesday 27 December.
This means that people in need of medicine for the festive period must get their prescriptions ordered by Monday, 18 December, at the very latest.
After this date, pharmacy teams will not be able to guarantee that medicines can be ordered and made available for collection before the Christmas break.
• Nottingham and Nottinghamshire pharmacy opening times Christmas 2023 and New Year
Dr Dave Briggs, Medical Director of NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care Board, said: “Pharmacy teams are always busy during the winter months, and even more so at Christmas.
“Getting repeat prescriptions in early will help our colleagues in pharmacies across the region to manage demand effectively, and that ensures everybody gets the medicine they need in time for the Christmas break.
“The consequences of running out of prescribed medicine can be significant, especially for older people and those who are vulnerable, which is why having an ample supply should be very near the top of everybody’s Christmas to-do list.”
A small number of community pharmacies across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will be open, with reduced operating hours, over the festive period. Their doors will be open to any person needing an emergency prescription or urgent expert advice on how to care for a minor illness or injury.
The Christmas week will then be followed by another bank holiday weekend, with the majority of pharmacy outlets staying closed on New Year’s Day. As with Christmas, a select few will be open for any urgent issues on Monday 1 January, with normal service at all sites resuming from the following day.
