A QUARTER of the calls to an out of hours health line this weekend from Fenland are likely to be from people who forgot to get their prescription. With two May Bank Holiday weekends fast approaching, the GP out-of-hours service for East Cambridgeshire and

A QUARTER of the calls to an out of hours health line this weekend from Fenland are likely to be from people who forgot to get their prescription.

With two May Bank Holiday weekends fast approaching, the GP out-of-hours service for East Cambridgeshire and Fenlands has issued a timely reminder to patients to get their repeat prescriptions in before their GP practice closes.

According to Take Care Now (TCN), which operates the service on behalf of NHS Cambridgeshire, up to a quarter of the calls it receives can be from people who have left getting their repeat prescription until after the GP surgery is closed.

Dr James Kennedy, Medical Director, TCN said: "We are obviously here to help but the GP out-of-hours service is for people who require urgent medical treatment, or whose condition is worsening.

"Unless your condition is serious, the first port of call should always be NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. This is a 24-hour helpline staffed by medical professionals who can advise on where to go for help."

For more information about the GP out-of-hours service, visit www.takecarenow.co.uk