The Yorkshire Grand Départ, which marks the start of this year’s Tour de France, is just weeks away and the local NHS is encouraging patients to be prepared so that they can enjoy a healthy weekend between Saturday 5 and Sunday 7 July.

Around three million visitors are expected to come to the region to see the world’s most famous cycle race get underway and – with road closures in and around York – it may be difficult to pick up prescriptions.

NHS Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is urging local patients to plan ahead and pick up their prescriptions before the race weekend – especially if they have a long-term condition which needs managing carefully.

Making sure patients have enough medicines to see them through Le Tour weekend can also mean doctors are not called out unnecessarily.

When ordering medicines, patients can take advantage of the electronic prescription service which allows prescribers such as GPs and practice nurses to send prescriptions electronically to a pharmacy of the patient's choice instead of having to go to their GP surgery first. Any patients unsure about how to use this service should ask at their local GP practice or pharmacy.

Dr Mark Hayes, Chief Clinical Officer of Vale of York CCG, said: “We’re asking people to be prepared over the busy, but exciting Grand Départ weekend. This is especially important for patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma and arthritis who need to plan ahead and think carefully about how much medication they have left and whether this is enough to see them through this period.

“They can then relax and enjoy the race without worrying about becoming ill. Being prepared can even avert a medical emergency.”

The CCG is also reminding patients of the benefits of using their local pharmacists who can offer free, confidential, expert advice on common symptoms, medicines and healthy living. Many pharmacies are open over the Grand Départ weekend and patients can locate their nearest pharmacy by visiting the NHS Choices website – www.nhs.uk.

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