FAMILY doctors in Somerset are urging patients to get their repeat prescriptions before the Bank Holiday (Monday, August 29).

The reminder comes as the county’s NHS 111 telephone health helpline line says one of the most common reasons for patients calling the 24 hour service at the weekend and Bank Holidays is to ask how to get repeat supplies of their prescription medicines.

Dr Ed Ford, Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group’s interim chairman, said: “With an August Bank Holiday coming up we are reminding patients to get their repeat prescriptions in plenty of time.

"Many patients are now taking a range of medicines to manage conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Such medications need to be taken every day.

"If patients or their carers think they may run out of prescription medication over the August Bank Holiday they should re-order and collect their medicines before the holiday weekend.”