Skip navigation
North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) logo
  • News
  • Events
  • Publications
  • Media
  • Donate
Use this link to enable the ReciteMe accessibility toolkit Enable ReciteMe accessibility tools
  • Home
  • Our service
    • Urgent and emergency care (999)
    • Non-emergency (111)
    • Patient Transport Service (PTS)
    • Major incidents
    • Emergency advice
    • Information for professionals
    • Other ways we can help
    • Help accessing our services
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer with us
    • Support our charity
    • Support our campaigns
    • Children and youth
    • Lifesaving skills
    • Events
    • Share your experience
    • What happens with your feedback?
    • Talk to us on social media
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Our locations
    • Our strategy, vision and values
    • How we are doing
    • Board of directors
    • Valuing our staff
    • Research and development
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Join our team
    • Current vacancies
    • Join our team
    • Why work with us
    • Explore roles
    • Working with the Armed Forces
    • Applying for a job
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Contact us
    • FOI and EIR
    • General enquiries
    • Lost property
    • Make a complaint
    • Healthcare professional (HCP) and social care complaint/enquiry form
    • Point taken
    • Send a thank you
    • Tell us about your defibrillator
    • CardiacSmart Accredited and Accredited+ application form
    • CardiacSmart Accredited partner application form
    • Tell us how we did
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Home
  • Our service
    • Urgent and emergency care (999)
    • Non-emergency (111)
    • Patient Transport Service (PTS)
    • Major incidents
    • Emergency advice
    • Information for professionals
    • Other ways we can help
    • Help accessing our services
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer with us
    • Support our charity
    • Support our campaigns
    • Children and youth
    • Lifesaving skills
    • Events
    • Share your experience
    • What happens with your feedback?
    • Talk to us on social media
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Our locations
    • Our strategy, vision and values
    • How we are doing
    • Board of directors
    • Valuing our staff
    • Research and development
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Join our team
    • Current vacancies
    • Join our team
    • Why work with us
    • Explore roles
    • Working with the Armed Forces
    • Applying for a job
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Contact us
    • FOI and EIR
    • General enquiries
    • Lost property
    • Make a complaint
    • Healthcare professional (HCP) and social care complaint/enquiry form
    • Point taken
    • Send a thank you
    • Tell us about your defibrillator
    • CardiacSmart Accredited and Accredited+ application form
    • CardiacSmart Accredited partner application form
    • Tell us how we did
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?

Search the site

  • Home
  • Our service
    • Urgent and emergency care (999)
    • Non-emergency (111)
    • Patient Transport Service (PTS)
    • Major incidents
    • Emergency advice
    • Information for professionals
    • Other ways we can help
    • Help accessing our services
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Get involved
    • Volunteer with us
    • Support our charity
    • Support our campaigns
    • Children and youth
    • Lifesaving skills
    • Events
    • Share your experience
    • What happens with your feedback?
    • Talk to us on social media
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Our locations
    • Our strategy, vision and values
    • How we are doing
    • Board of directors
    • Valuing our staff
    • Research and development
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Join our team
    • Current vacancies
    • Join our team
    • Why work with us
    • Explore roles
    • Working with the Armed Forces
    • Applying for a job
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • Contact us
    • FOI and EIR
    • General enquiries
    • Lost property
    • Make a complaint
    • Healthcare professional (HCP) and social care complaint/enquiry form
    • Point taken
    • Send a thank you
    • Tell us about your defibrillator
    • CardiacSmart Accredited and Accredited+ application form
    • CardiacSmart Accredited partner application form
    • Tell us how we did
    Need to arrange transport using our Patient Transport Service (PTS)?
  • News
  • Events
  • Publications
  • Media
  • Donate
Home > News > Announcements > Are your medicine cabinets stocked for Christmas?

Are your medicine cabinets stocked for Christmas?

Posted 26th November 2021

With Christmas fast approaching, now is the perfect time to review the contents of your medicine cabinet and to get your repeat prescriptions ordered as soon as possible. A properly stocked medicine cabinet can help you treat many common illnesses and ailments over the cold winter months.

Share this page
Stocking up medicine cabinets and ordering repeat prescriptions

We are joining health professionals across the region and are urging everyone to make sure they have these items on hand: 

  • A first-aid kit, including bandages, plasters, a thermometer, antiseptic, eyewash solution, sterile dressings, medical tape for dressings and tweezers
  • Pain relief such as aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen for aches, pains and high temperatures
  • Oral rehydration salts to replace lost minerals and fluid after a fever or vomiting and diarrhoea
  • Anti-diarrhoea tablets to relieve symptoms of diarrhoea, although these will not help with the underlying cause
  • Antihistamines which can help with allergies
  • Indigestion relief remedies

It can cost less than £10 to fill your cabinet with recommended medicines and be prepared if you or a loved one fall ill.

If you or someone you care for requires medicines regularly, it’s important to make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time to ensure you or your family have enough medicine to last over the Christmas holiday period, including bank holidays.

Dr Andy Knox, Director of Population Health and Engagement for Bay Health and Care Partners in Morecambe Bay: “When you’re getting ready for the festive period it’s important not to forget about winter health necessities like ordering and collecting repeat prescriptions to cover the holiday period.

“Many of us get a minor illness from time to time, especially when the temperature drops so it’s always best to have a properly stocked medicine cabinet with supplies that can help you get back on your feet quicker. 

“I’d recommend having a quick check of the products that you already have in as you’ll need to make sure they are the right ones for you and that they’re still in date. 

“If you need further advice, just pop down to see your local pharmacist who will be able to advise on any medications you’ve already been prescribed as this might affect your choice of product.

“Having a properly stocked medicine cabinet prevents you from having to go out to the pharmacy when you’re feeling poorly.”

Ordering and collecting prescriptions can take several days, which is why people are being urged to plan ahead. It’s important to order repeat prescriptions at least a week in advance so that the festive season can be enjoyed in good health.

Anyone concerned they may not have enough medication to cover the Christmas period should contact their GP surgery or local pharmacy in plenty of time to arrange a repeat prescription.

For more advice on keeping you, your family and your community well this winter, please visit: https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/keepwellthiswinter 

For further information about stocking your medicine cabinet, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/your-medicine-cabinet/

Archive

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018

Contact us

General enquiries

0345 112 0999 To call general enquiries, click this link or dial 0345 112 0999

These numbers should NOT be used to contact us in an emergency. In an emergency dial 999 immediately or for non-urgent medical advice call NHS 111.

How to find us

Directions to our offices
CQC Good rating widget

  • Help
  • Privacy policy
  • Freedom of Information
  • Contact us
  • Green Room

© Copyright 2022 North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
. Lovingly crafted by Mixd