Repeat Prescriptions
If you need long term medications, your doctor may be able to authorise a "repeat medication" for you for a fixed period of time. This means you will be able to order your medicine on a monthly basis from our admin team. At the end of the fixed period, (usually 6 or 12 months) the prescription will be reviewed by your doctor to check that it is still the best regime for you. During this review, doctor will look to see that you have had all of the necessary checks and follow ups and may ask to see you before authorising further prescriptions.
Ordering your Medication
Repeat prescriptions can be ordered quickly and easily using a variety of methods. All repeat medications are issued with a counterfoil which lists the medicines currently authorised.
We need at least three full working days notice (not including weekends) and during busy periods such as before bank holidays, we would appreciate being given extra time. Please note that any requests that arrive after 2.00pm will not be ordered until the next working day so remember to leave extra time before collection.
Every prescription is printed out by staff and signed by a doctor, before being dispensed and checked by qualified dispensary staff. We endeavour to complete this process rapidly, but will always prioritise safety and accuracy over speed.
Please ensure you order in plenty of time, so that your medicines don't run out. However, the NHS ask that you do not overstock as this sometimes leads to wastage.
If your medical condition needs regular blood tests, or follow up with our specialist nurses, please make arrangements to come on time as this will reduce delays in getting your medicines. If you are not sure what check-ups are needed or when they are due, please ask a member of the team.
Ordering by hand
All repeat medication is issued with a counterfoil please tick each item clearly from your list of medicines. We have a box situated outside and next to the dispensary in the lobby or feel free to post your request via Royal Mail.
Ordering online - Use our new online platform SystmOne Patient Access or NHS App
Try the NHS App
If you’re a patient at our practice, you can use the NHS App to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet.
It doesn’t replace existing services.
You can still contact us in the usual ways. But, once you have verified your identity in the app, you will have easy, 24/7 access to a growing range of health services and information.
Advice and information:
- search symptoms, conditions, and treatments
- get health advice through 111 online
- find NHS services near you
- check your NHS number
Arrange some appointments:
We need to make sure you see the right clinician at the right time so not all appointments are available online. This service will increase soon but currently we book vaccinations for our flu and shingles clinics and some child immunisations.
- check your referrals and hospital appointments
- manage vaccinations
Prescriptions:
- Order repeat prescriptions
Manage your health:
- access your GP health record securely
- register your organ donation decision
- take part in health research
If your medication regime is stable and you have repeat regular medication you could order your tablets via our online portal. You can sign up for the online access at reception, you will need to complete a form and bring two forms of i.d. to the practice (utility bill and or passport/driving licence). You can also sign up for the online ordering via the NHS App which is available on Google Store and Apple Store.
It is an easy process where they will confirm your identity using your smart phone and a scan of your face. You will need your NHS number which we can supply for you.
Please remember when ordering online medication will be ready in three full working days. If you order after 2pm on a Friday the order will not be processed until Monday and therefore the medication will be ready for you on the Thursday.
Advance Pre-order scheme
If your medication regime is stable, speak to our staff about joining this scheme. When you collect your prescriptions, you can select the medicines that you will need next month and agree a date when they will be ready for you.
Setting up Online Ordering
To register for online ordering please bring to the surgery with two forms of i.d. one of which should be a passport/driving licence and the other a utility bill with your home address listed. Each patient should have their own email address. It is a quick and easy process which the team can set up for you at the desk.
For more details about online access please see GDPR and Your Data Page below.
Online Access Booklet April 2022
28 Day Prescribing Policy
The practice currently provides 28 days prescriptions for all patients. This is based on current NHS guidelines. The benefits of 28 day prescribing include:
- Reducing the amount of medication which is currently wasted when your doctor stops/changes your medication (once medication leaves dispensary/pharmacy they cannot be reused and have to be destroyed)
- Reducing the potential for error when your medication is changed in the middle of supply.
- Increased safety as you will not have multiple containers of the same medicine meaning it is likely to reduce the number of mistakes made by patients, and it will also reduce the risk of potential poisoning of young children.
- Financial losses due to medication waste represent a direct loss to patient care. Since 28 day prescribing reduces medication waste, this in turn has a positive impact on patient care.
Most patients collecting repeat prescriptions do not pay prescription charges; therefore, there will be no difference to these patients in terms of cost due to 28-day prescribing. If you do have to pay prescription charges, then it may be beneficial for you to buy a Prescription Prepayment Certificate, especially if you are taking 2 or more medicines on a regular basis - ask at your local pharmacy or one of our dispensary team for more information. Or contact the NHS Business Services Authority on 0845 8500030, or vist their website http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx
If you are going away and need more than 28days of medication, we can provide up to a maximum of 3 months supply.
The only exceptions for this policy will be for HRT, contraception and as required medicines.
Requesting other medication
There may be occasions when you want to request a medicine that is not on your counterfoil. You can request this medicine but staff will have to pass your request to your doctor to see if it can be provided without an appointment. These requests usually take a little longer as they need to be individually considered by our pharmacist or the doctor who knows you well, or has reviewed your case. It is helpful if you are able to give a brief outline of why you are making the request.
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Prescription Clerks Megan and Jessica