Find out how to access NHS services over the bank holiday

NHS Derby and Derbyshire is urging the public to plan ahead, stay safe, and to use NHS services wisely ahead of the Easter bank holiday in order to get the right care in the best place.

The upcoming bank holidays fall on:

• Friday 29 March 2024
• Monday 1 April 2024

The NHS is here to help you over the upcoming Easter bank holidays – so make sure you know your services to get the care you need.

Prescriptions

Please remember to order and collect any repeat prescriptions as soon as you can so you and your family have enough medicine over the bank holidays. GP practices and most pharmacies will be closed during the bank holidays meaning you may not be able to pick up a prescription at short notice.

You can order repeat prescriptions through:

• The Medicine Order Line ordering form via www.derbyshiremol.nhs.uk
• Your GP
• The NHS app
• Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)

The Medicine Order Line will be closed on Good Friday (29th March) and Easter Monday (1st April). Regular opening hours, from 8am to 4pm, will be maintained on all other working days.

Please order your prescriptions in advance ensuring enough time for the prescriptions to be signed by a GP and processed by the pharmacy.

Community pharmacy services over the bank holiday

Some community pharmacies will be open over the bank holidays. Please check the NHS England website for pharmacy opening times and other useful information about accessing NHS services over the bank holiday period. Alternatively, you may wish to visit your pharmacy website or call them for more information.

GP hours over the bank holidays

GP practice services will largely be closed over the bank holidays. If you need medical advice, please contact NHS 111 through the online service https://111.nhs.uk.

NHS 111 will be able to assess you and, if you should need it, book you a time slot at an Urgent Treatment Centre to make sure you can be seen safely. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Urgent Treatment Centres

The five Urgent Treatment Centres in Derby and Derbyshire are open over the bank holidays from 8am-8pm and can treat a range of urgent care needs, without the long waits at A&E. Urgent Treatment Centres can treat things like; broken bones, sprains, minor cuts and burns, minor head injuries and more.

They are located at: Derby UTC, Whitworth Hospital, Buxton Hospital, Ilkeston Hospital and Ripley Hospital.

If you are in a life-threatening situation

Please remember that if you have a medical emergency, such as a suspected heart attack, stroke, or other serious life-threatening condition, to call 999.