Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

If you are on a regular medication and have had your medication reviewed in the last nine months, you can obtain a repeat prescription in the following ways:

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

You can also:

  • fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
  • In person, tick the boxes on your repeat slip and drop it in to the dispensary collection box

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.

Collecting your prescription

Information:

You can usually collect your prescription 5 working days after you have ordered it.

Remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account. However, at very busy times it may take longer to prepare your medication.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy.

You can change your nominated pharmacy at any time:

Dispensary

The dispensary is open from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to midday and 3pm to 6pm.

The dispensary provides medication to patients who live more than one mile from a pharmacy and prepares prescriptions to be taken to pharmacies for patients who live within the one mile boundary.

Queries

The dispensers can answer many of your questions about your medication and will always endeavour to help you. Sometimes the dispenser may need to discuss the query with a doctor but she will inform you of this and explain when a comprehensive reply will be available for you. If you would like to ask the dispensary a question, please complete our prescription question form.

We do not sell over the counter medicines. For information on products that can be bought over the counter, please speak to a pharmacist at a local pharmacy.

Ordering of medication

Any medication prescribed by the doctor in clinic for a dispensing patient will be put through immediately. We have common medication in stock but sometimes we may have to order medication especially for you. In this instance, the medication is usually available by the afternoon of the next working day but the dispenser will inform you if there is likely to be any longer delay than this.

Automatic ordering

The dispensary have a service called ‘automatic ordering’ in which they can order medication every 28 days on behalf of a patient. This will mean that the dispensary will generate an order on behalf of the patient who can then simply arrive to collect their prescription every 28 days. If however, the patient needs to have their prescription from time to time earlier than 28 days, they would need to contact the dispensary so adjustment can be made to the timescale.

Are you having difficulties?

If you have difficulty getting to the surgery to collect your medication, difficulty opening the packaging, difficulty reading the labels or problems understanding your medication regime, there are systems in place to help you. Please ask a dispenser for further information.

Questions about your prescription

If you have questions about your medicine, your local pharmacists can answer these. They can also answer questions on medicines you can buy without a prescription.

The NHS website has information on how your medicine works, how and when to take it, possible side effects and answers to your common questions.

Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

Medication reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review their regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

If you have been advised by the surgery that your medication review is due, please complete our medication review form.

Prescription charges

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website.

What to do with old medicines

Take it to the pharmacy you got it from or bring it in to the surgery. Do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet.

About pharmacists

As qualified healthcare professionals, pharmacists can offer advice on minor illnesses such as:

  • coughs
  • colds
  • sore throats
  • tummy trouble
  • aches and pains

They can also advise on medicine that you can buy without a prescription.

Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.

Most pharmacies have a private room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff.