Heat health alert issued for the Black Country

People in the Black Country are being reminded to order any repeat prescriptions they may need ahead of the summer bank holiday (Monday 25 August).

GP practices and pharmacies will have limited opening hours over the bank holiday weekend, making it more challenging for people to access medicines at short notice and may lead to a delay in getting your medication.

Every bank holiday, NHS 111 sees an increase in people getting in touch regarding repeat prescriptions. Waiting and using emergency or urgent services over the bank holiday puts added pressure on already busy services.

To avoid this and to ensure your health is not put at any unnecessary risk, people who take regular prescription medication are being asked to submit any repeat prescriptions that are due for renewal by Friday 14 August to make sure there is enough time for them to be processed and dispensed.

Dr Ananta Dave, Chief Medical Officer for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board, said: “We want everyone to enjoy a safe and healthy bank holiday weekend. Running out of your usual medication can be a huge worry and have serious consequences, so it’s important to plan and order any prescriptions you may need over the long weekend.

“The easiest way to order repeat prescriptions is via the NHS App or through your GP practice website. If you do not have access to GP online services, you can phone your GP practice to order prescriptions.

“Bank holiday weekends are always busy times for the NHS, so ordering and picking up a repeat prescription in advance really does help us, help you.”

Most repeat medication requests can be made online, via local practice websites or through the NHS App. People who do not use the internet can approach their practice to access their prescriptions.

If people feel unwell over the bank holiday weekend, but it’s not life threatening, they can contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk or by calling 111. NHS 111 can help direct people to the most appropriate local health service if they aren’t sure where to go – this could include an out of hours GP, a pharmacy, a local NHS walk-in centre, or a hospital accident & emergency (A&E) department.

Urgent and emergency care services will also be open as normal over the long weekend. People should only call 999 or attend A&E services in the event of an emergency.

As the school term draws to a close, parents and carers across the Black Country are being reminded of the importance of managing their child’s asthma during the summer break.

Asthma is a common lung condition, affecting around one in every 11 children. It can cause symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness.

Although asthma affects each child differently, most cases can be well controlled with the daily use of a preventer inhaler. A reliever inhaler (usually blue) may also be needed from time to time if symptoms flare up.

The NHS has created a video with a Black Country respiratory nurse discussing the importance of keeping of top of your child’s asthma over the summer holidays.

Lisa Cummings, Queens Nurse and Asthma Practitioner in the Children and Young People’s Asthma Team for the NHS Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB) said: “Each year, we see a noticeable rise in asthma attacks around September, often linked to children falling out of their usual medication routines over the summer holidays. But with a few straightforward measures, parents can support their child in staying well and making the most of the summer break.

“It’s easy to assume everything’s fine if your child seems active and symptom-free during the holidays, but it’s crucial they continue using their preventer inhaler exactly as prescribed by their GP or asthma nurse. This consistent use helps ensure they’re protected when returning to school, where asthma triggers are more likely.

“Make sure you have your child’s asthma action plan easily accessible and follow it carefully. Anyone with asthma is at risk of having an asthma attack, which usually needs urgent medical treatment. Asthma attacks can even be fatal. This is why it is crucial to ensure children and young people take their medication even when feeling well, and to take action if their asthma seems to be getting worse.

Knowing what steps to take when symptoms appear can make all the difference. Most importantly, always be prepared. Always carry an up-to-date reliever inhaler (typically blue), as asthma attacks can be serious and unpredictable.”

You can also follow #ThinkAboutAsthmaBlackCountry on social media for tips on managing your child’s asthma this summer

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