People living across Lancashire and South Cumbria have been urged to get repeat prescription orders in early ahead of the upcoming bank holiday.

Pharmacies across the region will have limited opening on Monday May 6 for the Early May Bank Holiday, and most GP practices will be closed throughout the extended weekend.

It can sometimes take up to five working days for a practice to issue a repeat prescription and for a pharmacy to process and dispense the medication – so patients who require medication are advised to request their prescriptions at the earliest opportunity.

You can order repeat prescriptions online, through the NHS App or through your GP surgery.

Dr Lindsey Dickinson, associate medical director for NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said: “By ordering medicines as soon as possible, it allows enough time for it to be processed and dispensed and helps avoid a last-minute rush.

“It is also a big help for health services, which are usually busier than normal during a bank holiday weekend.”

A list of which pharmacies will be open on bank holiday Monday will be posted on www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk in the coming days.

For any urgent care needs, people are asked to visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

With another bank holiday later in May (Monday 27), now is a good time to top up your medicine cabinets to make sure you have the essentials to hand should you require them over the two extended weekends.

A properly stocked medicine cabinet can help you treat many common illnesses and ailments, so it is important that you regularly check on expiry dates so that you can replace any out of date items.

Dr Dickinson added: “Medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, anti-diarrhoea tablets, oral rehydration salts, cough and cold medicine, antihistamines, and indigestion medicine should be essential items to have in your medicine cabinet.

“A first aid kit including a thermometer and ice and heat packs for pain is also recommended. You can speak to your local pharmacist for advice on what would be helpful to stock up on for any conditions you and your family members may have.”

As well as GPs and pharmacists, dentists also have limited bank holiday opening. but you can still access urgent dental services over the bank holiday. The Dental Helpline can provide advice, support and an appointment where required. Call 0300 1234 010 between 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm weekends and bank holidays.

Outside of these hours, you can also call 111 for urgent dental support.