Healthcare services over the May bank holiday weekends

People across mid and south Essex are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions that they may need ahead of the bank holiday weekends (Saturday 4 to Monday 6 May and Saturday 25 to Monday 27 May).

Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch about repeat prescriptions. Therefore, people are being encouraged to be prepared by ensuring there is enough repeat prescription medicine to last over the May bank holidays, and ordering ahead of time, if needed.

Think Pharmacy First

Going to your local pharmacy offers an easy and convenient way to get clinical advice on minor health concerns – you don’t need an appointment and you can be seen in a private consultation room if you prefer.

Your local pharmacy can help with minor illnesses like coughs, colds and red eye. Your local pharmacist can also provide some prescription medicines for certain conditions, in needed, without a GP appointment. You can get care directly from a pharmacist for conditions including earache, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women ages 16-64 from local pharmacies. They are open late, on weekends and during Bank Holidays with no appointment needed.

In addition, local pharmacies are now able to provide medicines for some conditions, if appropriate, without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. These include: earache in children, impetigo, infected insect bites, shingles, sinusitis, sore throat and urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. They can also signpost you to your GP, A&E or other relevant local service, where necessary.

NHS 111

NHS 111 is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day for urgent health concerns, giving you advice and reassurance without needing to leave your home.

111.NHS.UK can direct patients to the most appropriate service to meet their needs. If needed a healthcare professional will call you back.

Accessing dental services

If you think you need urgent dental treatment over the bank holiday weekend, contact your usual dentist. If you can’t or you don’t have one, 111.nhs.uk.

If an urgent appointment is needed, you will be provided with details of your local out of hours service.

Remember you can get the answers to hundreds of health questions, including seasonal advice via www.nhs.uk.

Mental health

Adults experiencing a mental health crisis, can speak to a mental health professional anytime, day or night, by calling NHS 111 and selecting the option for mental health. Call 0800 995 1000 for under 18s who need urgent mental health support.

NHS App

The NHS App provides a simple and secure way to access a wide range of services on a smartphone or tablet. It offers access to certain NHS services online.

For more information on when to call 999 and when to go to A&E, visit the NHS website:

Remember, if it is a life-threatening emergency or if you are concerned about an immediate risk of harm, either to yourself or someone else, please phone 999.

Guide to local health services over the bank holiday weekends

We have produced a guide to local health services over the May bank holiday weekends which you can download below: