Electronic Prescriptions
We do recommend patients to nominate a pharmacy if they always go to the same pharmacy - that will save you a trip to the practice to collect your prescription and allow the pharmacy to process any repeat medications before you arrive.
Repeat Prescriptions
Prescription Ordering – A Reminder From The Doctors
We have seen a huge increase in the number of patients requesting medication over the phone, and also in the number of urgent prescription requests we are handling.
Our main priority is for safe prescribing. We have a very rigorous system to deal with prescription requests which involves:
- Making sure the request is “on time” (not too soon since your last prescription)
- Checking for relevant test results, such as blood pressure, blood tests etc.
- Ensuring the dose and strength of your medication has not been changed
- Asking a GP to check and adjust a medication review date
- Getting GPs to sign all the prescriptions
- Double checking by another member of staff
Telephone Requests
We have asked the prescribing clerks NOT to take telephone requests from patients unless there is a genuine reason, such as the patient being housebound. This is for your safety – the practice does not want to make a mistake in identifying which medicine you require.
There are alternative ways to order a prescription:
- Online - either email samc.bh8@nhs.net, stating your name, date of birth and the names of the medication you require, or ask to register for SystmOnline at reception for secure ordering via the link at the top of this page. When registering for this service you will need to visit the practice and provide proof of your address and photo ID.
PLEASE NOTE - THIS EMAIL ADDRESS IS ONLY FOR PRESCRIPTION REQUESTS. APPOINTMENTS REQUESTS OR MEDICAL QUERIES CANNOT BE ACCOMODATED THROUGH THIS EMAIL.
- In person - by completing the green request slip, writing your own request, or completing a prescription request slip at the practice. (We do not need to be open for you to drop in your request, just pop it through the letterbox.
- Pharmacy - Most local pharmacies are happy to send your order to us, and either collect on your behalf or have your prescription sent directly to them. This could be for one off items or for your regular medication.
Please allow enough time between making your request and collecting your medication.
Several of the local pharmacies which are owned by chains (Rowlands, Boots, Lloyds for example) are dispensing the majority of their prescriptions off site. This helps them to ensure that they have the stock of drugs needed and should lead to fewer IOUs being handed out to patients. The practice allows 48 hours to turn round a prescription and the pharmacy need a further 48 – 72 hours, as prescriptions are returned to the collection pharmacy in 2 – 3 working days. Please note that prescriptions received by these pharmacies on a FRIDAY will not be available for collection until Wednesday, as the off-site dispensers do not work at weekends.
If you have difficulty with dispensing of your prescription, or delivery of your medication, you will need to take this up with your pharmacy. The practice has no influence over pharmacies.
Urgent Requests
Please try to plan ahead if you can. We recognise that some urgent requests are genuine, but many could be avoided with a bit of forward planning.
Please note that the prescribing clerks are following the doctor’s instructions. It is not appropriate to shout at them or be abusive to them if they cannot comply with your request.
Telephone: 01202 517333, option 2
Please allow 48 hours, excluding weekends and Bank Holidays, for your request to be processed. Any problems please telephone the surgery and select option 2.
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication may be asked to see a doctor, network pharmacist, nurse practitioner or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications. The practice will inform you if/when this is necessary and ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.