Year: 2022

Get ready for Christmas by ordering your prescriptions early, is the message from health experts at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin.

With Christmas and New Year fast approaching, NHS leaders are keen to ensure that people across the county have enough of their routine medication and prescriptions.

With some pharmacies and GP practices closed over the Bank Holidays, patients are being asked to check they have the required supply of prescribed medication.

Pharmacies across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin are asking patients to check their supply, and order 14 days before they’re due to run out to ensure they have the medication needed for the festive season.

For those patients whose GP practice is part of the Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) service, repeat prescriptions can be ordered from the comfort of your home by email.  For further information on how to use the service, please click here.

Dr Nick White, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin said: “Now is the time to plan ahead to help get you and your family through the winter season. By ordering early and collecting on time, you’ll save yourself the stress of possibly not getting what you need on time. and play your part in keeping the pressure off our health services.

“Christmas and New Year can be a difficult time for health and social care professionals. Demand will be extremely high, and we are asking people across Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin to ‘think’ and access the right service for their healthcare need.

“Let’s all choose well this Christmas. Call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice, go online here or use your local walk-in Minor Injury Unit. We must keep A&E and 999 ambulance services for those who really need them.”

The Bank Holidays take place on Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January. Your GP practice may be closed on these dates, but a range of NHS services are still available depending on your medical need.

To check the Bank Holiday opening times of your local pharmacy, please visit the NHS website or click here for further information.

For urgent medical advice, you can also contact NHS 111 online or call 111 free from any phone. This service is available 24 hours a day, including Bank Holidays, and after answering a few questions you will be directed to the best place to get the medical help and advice you need. Always call 999 for life-threatening emergencies such as a stroke or heart attack.

We are pleased to announce that we now have the ability to book appointments with a Musculo Skeletal Expert Practitioner. Joe Smith is working at Knockin every Wednesday morning and can see patients who have developed bone, muscle and joint problems. Please mention this to the reception team when you are requesting an appointment and they will be able to book you with Joe.

We also have some access to directly book with a Mental Health Practitioner. These appointments will be by telephone initially and can be booked for new episodes of illness and can be accessed by speaking with the reception team.

In the near future we will also be offering appointments for follow ups with a clinical pharmacist who will be holding sessions here at Knockin.

All of these options are as a result of our working in partnership with the Shrewsbury Primary Care Network and are in addition to the appointments offered by the permanent staff at Knockin.