PATIENTS in Suffolk have today been urged to make sure they pick up their repeat prescriptions before the Christmas break.

PATIENTS in Suffolk have today been urged to make sure they pick up their repeat prescriptions before the Christmas break.

Take Care Now (TCN), which provides out-of-hours services in Suffolk and is the organisation people call if they forget to collect their medicines before the holiday season, is sending out an important message about stocking up on their medications.

Although the out-of-hours service can handle repeat prescriptions its primary focus is on delivering urgent medical care that cannot wait until GP surgeries are open.

In 2007 TCN saw a 20 per cent increase in the number of people making contact with the out-of-hours service over Christmas compared with the previous week, from 4,700 contacts to more than 5,700 contacts.

James Waites, operations manager for TCN, said: “We are expecting many more calls over the Christmas break and have increased the cover provided by doctors and nurses.

“However, patients can help us by checking they have enough prescription medication beforehand so that we can deliver the best care to those who need it most urgently.”