Now we are well in to December and it is the countdown to Christmas, local health experts are advising patients not to leave it too late to order and collect their repeat prescriptions. As many GP practices will have limited opening hours between Christmas and New Year Holidays, patients are advised not to leave it too late to order any repeat prescriptions they may need over the festive period.
Dr Peter Mack, Clinical Chair of Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group said: “Christmas is the busiest time of year for many of us and at such a busy time of year, other tasks can seem dull and boring. Even so, one thing we should all do is spend a few minutes thinking about our health care by ordering and collecting any repeat prescriptions in good time over the holiday period, and being prepared with a well-stocked medicines cabinet to manage the symptoms of minor conditions such as colds, headaches and indigestion.”
With the bank holidays, practices will be closed for four days from 24 to 27 December, and again for three days from 31 December to 2 January. This means some people may need to order a few days earlier than they normally would – when they have around 10 days' worth of medication left. Please check your supplies at home before ordering your repeat medication and only order what you need so time isn't taken up with dispensing items that you won't use.
Dr Mack adds: “Running out of daily medication over the festive period could have serious consequences for patients who rely on them to control symptoms and manage disease. This is very important as emergency GP services at Christmas should not be used to get emergency supplies of medication. The winter period is one of the busiest times of year for the NHS so picking up a repeat prescription in advance could help keep staff free to deal with life-threatening emergencies.”
With cough, colds, tummy bugs and minor accidents common over Christmas, it is a good idea to ensure you have over-the-counter medicines and first aid items in stock.
Paul Clarke, Pharmaceutical Advisor for the CCG said: “Pharmacies are often open when GP surgeries are closed, including some with limited opening hours on the bank holidays. Pharmacists can offer advice and treatment for many minor health complaints, and avoid the need to visit a doctor for conditions suitable for self-care. Details of Christmas opening times for pharmacies across Swindon can be found here so you can plan to collect your prescription once your GP practice has ordered it, or visit the pharmacy for advice.”
For more information about looking after yourself this winter, visit www.nhs.uk which provides up-to-date and expert advice on a range of illnesses and complaints.
If you become unwell over the Christmas break and need medical advice, please call NHS 111, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
PHARMACY | Christmas Eve - 24th December 2016 (Saturday) |
Christmas Day - 25th December 2016 (Sunday) |
Boxing Day - 26th December 2016 (Monday) |
Bank Holiday - 27th December 2016 (Tuesday) |
New Year's Eve - 31st December 2016 (Saturday) |
New Year's Day - 1st January 2017 (Sunday) |
Bank Holiday - 2nd January 2017 (Monday) |
ASDA Pharmacy Orbital Shoppping Park, Thamesdown Drive, Swindon, SN25 4YX 01793 707801 |
08:00-22:00 | CLOSED | 09:00-18:00 | 09:00-18:00 | 08:00-22:00 | 10:00-16:00 | 10:00-18:00 |
Asda Pharmacy West Swindon District Centre, Tewkesbury Way, Swindon, SN5 7DL 01793 758010 |
07:00-21:00 | CLOSED | 07:00-23:00 | 09:00-18:00 | 07:00-21:00 | 10:00-16:00 | 09:00-18:00 |
Boots The Chemist Orbital Shopping Park Thamesdown Drive, Swindon, SN25 4AN 01793 728569 |
08:30-18:00 | CLOSED | 08:30-18:00 | 08:30-18:00 | 08:30-18:00 | 10:30-16:30 | 08:30-18:00 |
Boots The Chemist Greenbridge Retail Park, Stratton Rd, Swindon 01793 423838 |
08:30-18:00 | CLOSED | 08:30-18:00 | 08:30-18:00 | 08:30-18:00 | 10:30-16:30 | 08:30-16:30 |
Boots The Chemist Brunel Plaza, Swindon, SN1 1LF 01793 695384 |
08:00-18:00 | CLOSED | 08:00-17:00 | 09:00-18:00 | 08:00-18:00 | 10:30-16:30 | 09:00-17:00 |
Boots The Chemist 35 Wood Street, Swindon SN1 1LF 01793 522941 |
09:00-17:30 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:30 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Swindon Health Centre (PD) Ltd Pharmacy Dept, Carfax Street Health Centre, Swindon, SN1 1ED 01793 616280 |
10:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 10:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Facechoice Pharmacy Freshbrook, Swindon, SN5 8LY 01793 870226 |
09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Hawthorn Pharmacy 261 Cricklade Road, Gorse Hill, Swindon, SN2 1AE 01793 522430 |
09:00-16:00 | 10:00-14:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-16:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Highworth Pharmacy Market Place, Highworth, Swindon 01793 762220 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Homeground Pharmacy Thames Avenue, Swindon 01793 727866 |
05:00-20:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 05:00-20:00 | 08:00-18:00 | CLOSED |
RA Jephson Wroughton Health Centre, Barrett Way, Swindon 01793 812250 |
09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lawn Pharmacy Guildford Avenue, Swindon, SN3 1JE 01793 496093 |
08:30-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 08:30-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy St Margarets Chase, Highworth Rd, Swindon, SN3 4BF 01793 822181 |
09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Clive Parade, Swindon, SN2 1AJ 01793 722097 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Shaw Village Centre, Ramleaze Drive, Swindon 01793 886076 |
09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Moredon Medical Centre, Swindon, SN2 2JG 01793 535417 |
09:00-17:30 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:30 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Covingham Square, Swindon, SN3 5AA 01793 529911 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Abbey Meads, Elstree Way, Swindon 01793 704165 |
09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy Royston Road, Park South, Swindon 01793 521379 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy 16 Clive Parade, Cricklade Road, Swindon, SN2 1AJ 01793 722097 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Lloyds Pharmacy (within Sainsburys) Ashworth Road, Bridgemead, Swindon, SN5 7YH 01793 524272 |
07:00-22:00 | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | 09:00-18:00 | 07:00-22:00 | 10:00-16:00 | 09:00-19:00 |
Lloyds Pharmacy (within Sainsburys) Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon, SN3 4EW 01793 831706 |
07:00-22:00 | CLOSED | 10:00-16:00 | 09:00-17:00 | 07:00-22:00 | 10:00-16:00 | 09:00-17:00 |
Morrisons Pharmacy Thames Avenue, Haydon Wick Swindon, SN25 1QQ 01793 705322 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | 10:00-16:00 | 10:00-16:00 | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | 10:00-16:00 |
Swindon Pharmacies Co-op Store, High Street, Old Town, SN1 3EG 01793 495499 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Rodbourne Pharmacy 167 Rodbourne Road, Swindon, SN2 2AY 01793 642214 |
09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Rowlands Pharmacy Kingswood Avenue, Park North, Swindon, SN1 3EG 01793 527757 |
09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Rowlands Pharmacy Co-operative Store, High Street, Old Town, SN1 3EG 01793 495499 |
09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-17:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Shrivenham Pharmacy High Street, Shrivenham 01793 783336 |
09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-13:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Sparcells Pharmacy Midwinter Close, Peatmoor, Swindon, SN5 5AN 01793 877760 |
09:00-12:00 | 10:00-12:00 AND 14:00-16:00 |
CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
St John Pharmacy 6 St John Road, Swindon SN4 9ED 01793 814388 |
09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-12:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED |
Swindon Pharmacy Hawthorn Medical Centre May Close, Swindon, SN2 1UU 01793 976363 |
08:00-22:30 | 14:00-18:00 | CLOSED | CLOSED | 08:00-22:30 | 08:00-21:00 | CLOSED |
Tesco In-Store Pharmacy Ocotal Way, Swindon, SN1 2EH 01793 461847 |
08:00-13:00 AND 14:00-19:00 |
CLOSED | CLOSED | 09:00-18:00 | 08:00-13:00 AND 14:00-19:00 |
CLOSED | 09:00-18:00 |