The South East Coast Ambulance Service is urging residents in Royal Tunbridge Wells and across the region to prepare ahead of the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend, which runs from 3 to 6 April 2026. The service is preparing for a significant increase in demand and is asking the public to help keep emergency resources available for those in genuine need.
Official projections for the four-day period indicate that the ambulance service expects to handle more than 13,000 emergency 999 calls and 18,000 calls to the NHS 111 service. A primary concern for health officials is the high number of unnecessary requests for repeat prescriptions. In previous years, the service has dealt with over 1,600 calls related to medication requests during the holiday period, and they anticipate more than a thousand such avoidable calls this year.
Residents are advised to check their medication supplies and order any necessary repeat prescriptions well before the bank holiday begins. With GP surgeries closing for the holiday, access to routine primary care is reduced, which typically leads to an increase in pressure on both the 999 and 111 contact centres.
In Royal Tunbridge Wells, pharmacy access will be limited during the break. According to NHS England, the only pharmacies open will be Imperial Pharmacy on Good Friday from 10:00 to 13:00, Paydens Pharmacy on Easter Sunday from 14:00 to 17:00, and Hollis Pharmacy on Easter Monday from 10:00 to 13:00.
Beyond managing medication needs, officials are encouraging residents to take steps to prevent falls, as these incidents account for a high proportion of lower acuity calls to the ambulance service. Keeping living spaces clear of trip hazards can make a significant difference in preventing unnecessary emergency interventions during the busy weekend.
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