Repeat Prescriptions

You can order repeat prescriptions:

Online - using the NHS App or the SystmOnline / Airmid App
Return the paper repeat slip to the practice
Via email to sxicb-wsx.medications.lmp@nhs.net or by completing this form
In person, by completing a request form at the practice

Please do not order your medication earlier than 10 days before it is due, unless by prior arrangement or special circumstances.

Please allow 3 clear whole working days before collecting your medication.

Repeat requests received after 4.00pm will not be processed until the morning of the next working day. For example, if you submit your request late in the day on a Monday afternoon or evening, it will not be ready early on the Thursday morning. You must wait to collect your medication late in the day on the Thursday.

Note:

We do not accept requests by telephone as they may lead to misunderstanding and errors.
Please do not use GP appointments to request repeat prescriptions - this wastes your precious consultation time.

Weekend GP Appointments

If you have had a consultation with a GP at one of our weekend appointments, which is outside our normal working hours, if medication is prescribed they can send your prescription electronically to a pharmacy immediately. This is to enable you to quickly start a course of medications as soon as possible.

There will be a delay in starting any medication if you choose to have your medication prescribed by your usual GP here at the surgery.

Medication requests from a weekend appointment, need processing by our staff first and will not be ready for collection until the Tuesday morning.

Emergencies

What to do if you have run out of your medication and need an emergency supply.

During our opening hours, Monday to Friday 08:00 -18:30 call 01403 752246 and press option 2 to speak to a staff member of our dispensary team.

When we are closed, in the evening or during the weekend call NHS 111. Community pharmacies can also issue emergency supplies of prescribed medicines in many circumstances.

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 these regular medications a notification should appear on your repeat slip.

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

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs). All medication must be paid for on collection, if you are exempt our staff will ask to see proof of exemption before medication can be dispensed to you.

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

Prescription (per item): £9.65 per item
£111.60 for a 12 month prepayment certificate (PPC) (10 months payments by direct debit £10.59)
£31.25 for a 3 month PPC

If you 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.

Buy PPC online
Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030

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

Dispensary

Living in a rural area we are able to offer dispensing services to all our patients who live more than one mile from a chemist.

Unavailable Medicines

There are national shortages across the whole country of a number of different medications. Our dispensary team work under the close supervision of our GPs to find a suitable alternative if your usual medication is not available. Sometimes you may be offered a prescription to take away to another chemist who may have their own supply of your particular item, but this is not within our control. We ask that you treat all our staff with respect and in a polite manner if you have any concerns with any of our services. Raised voices and rude behaviour will not be tolerated.

Busy and Quieter Times

To minimise your waiting time, we conducted a survey, see the graph below. Fridays are our busiest days for medication collections and it would be helpful if you could avoid these busier times if at all possible.

Our dispensary team have many responsibilities including ordering, fulfilling and dispensing prescriptions. They deal other queries such as:

District nurses requests for dressings or medication for patients seen in the community
Other pharmacies and care home representatives collecting prescriptions for multiple patients
Patients that have run out of medication
Patients arriving too early to collect medication
Medication from hospitals consultants as queue too long at the hospital
Private consultant prescription requests

Dispensary audit results