EMERGENCY NHS services across Basildon and Thurrock are still being misused, des- pite pleas for people to be prepared.

Over the Easter bank holiday, the out-of-hours GP service and A&E unit at Basildon Hospital were swamped by patients, many who did not need emergency treatment.

Although the number of people turning up at casualty was in line with normal levels, the separate out-of-hours GP service was inundated with people making appointments just because they had run out of medication.

A spokesman for NHS South West Essex said out-of-hours services issued 1,110 prescriptions over the four-day weekend, with around 50 per cent of these being repeat prescriptions, which could have been dealt with in advance.

Bill Sandhu, the trust’s associate director of prescribing, said: “We want patients, particularly those with a long-term condition, to plan ahead, so they have enough medication for the holidays.

“Using the GP out-of-hours service puts extra pressure on the system at one of its busiest times.”

Over the weekend, Basildon Hospital’s A&E saw 995 patients, compared to 1,057 last year. This year, 63 people seen did not require any medical treatment.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it is ready for the forthcoming long weekend, but is urging people to think twice before dialling 999 due to the high number of calls expected.