NHS England is encouraging patients to plan ahead with their medication over Easter.

Bank holiday opening hours will mean GP practices and pharmacies are closed for at least some of the period, which could potentially lead to patients being unable to access urgent medication.

Patients are encouraged to check the opening times of local pharmacies and collect repeat prescriptions ahead of the Easter weekend.

Liz Mearns, NHS England Medical Director South West said: “ It’s important to make sure you order and collect repeat prescriptions in good time, to ensure you and your family have enough medicine to last over the bank holiday period.”

No pharmacies in Swindon will be open all four days of the Easter period, and some are closed the entire time. Larger pharmacies such as Asda, Boots and Morrisons will be operating most of the day on the Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Just three pharmacies will be available on Easter Sunday itself: Facechoice Pharmacy in Freshbrook, Hawthorn Pharmacy in the town centre and Sparcells Pharmacy in Peatmoor. However this will only be for a few hours in each case.

If you do feel unwell over Easter, call 111 for urgent help or visit your local pharmacy or GP surgery.