HEALTH chiefs are urging East Renfrewshire residents not to request unnecessary repeat prescriptions, in a bid to ease the pressure on GPs and pharmacists.

Bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) say staff have faced high demand for prescriptions since the Covid-19 outbreak began.

Now patients are being asked to phone in the first instance for any queries that are not coronavirus-related.

Any patients with coronavirus symptoms are urged to consult NHS Inform or call NHS24 on 111.

Alan Harrison, of NHSGGC, said: “A huge thank-you goes to all GP practice and community pharmacy teams who continue to care for patients in extremely challenging circumstances.

“But they are facing an unnecessary strain because individuals are requesting and filling prescriptions when they do not need to.

“That’s why we’re asking the public to please help us and not order unnecessary prescriptions. We’re all in this together.”