Prescriptions
If your doctor decides that you need regular medication these items will be added to your repeat prescription list. Most prescriptions are for a 28 day supply, we recommend that you re-order 5-7days before your prescription is due.
You will be given a repeat prescription request slip from your pharmacy. Please only tick the items on your repeat slip that you require.
There are different ways to request a repeat prescription:
Please note, we do not take requests for repeat prescriptions over the telephone – due to the high volume of calls received at the surgery and the potential for errors.
It is patient’s responsibility to ensure sufficient supply of repeat medications. This is especially true during weekends and public holidays. Make sure you check your medicine supply regularly.
Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.
We receive several prescription requests every day from patients and local pharmacies. We follow strict practice protocols and policies to ensure clinical safety and avoid any prescription related mistakes. Please be assured our staff are following practice procedures. They are here to help you. If for some reason your prescription is not done there must be a reason attached to that after been reviewed by GP. We always try to accommodate urgent/emergency medication requests if possible.
Please do not telephone the prescriptions line to request medication or to check if your request has been processed as we are experiencing a high volume of calls and patients who have queries or issues with their medication are struggling to get through to the department.
Urgent prescription requests
If you have made an unfortunate mistake and have run out of medication we will always try and help. Please bring your repeat slip or a written request into the Surgery as soon as possible. We will then endeavour to process your request and ask that you can return to collect your prescription.
What happens when a hospital doctor changes your medication?
From an outpatients appointment
The hospital doctor will write to the surgery if there are any changes to be made to your medication. Changes will be added on, removed or amended from your record and will be ready to issue when you request it with your repeat slip. If your repeat slip is not up to date, you can request your new medication by writing it on the bottom of the slip. You can also request it by writing your name, date of birth, contact telephone number, address, the items you require and the destination you wish to collect your medication from on a piece of paper to hand into the Surgery. Sometimes the hospital doctor will give you a “non-urgent prescribing request” form to bring to the Surgery within 7 days. We will need 48 hours to get this new medication ready for you.
On discharge from hospital
The ward clerk will send a discharge notification to the surgery advising us of the medications you have been given to come home with (usually 14 days) and any changes to your repeat medication. When you need more medication you can request it with your repeat slip. If your repeat slip is not up to date, you can request your new medication by writing it on the bottom of the slip. You can also request your medication by writing your name, date of birth, contact telephone number, address, the items you require and the destination you wish to collect your medication from on a piece of paper to hand into the Surgery.
Travelling Abroad
If you are going abroad for more than one month, you may be provided with a prescription which covers the period of travel, up to a maximum of 3 months, provided that treatment does not need to be reviewed by the GP.
Travellers who are for abroad longer periods cease to be a NHS patient once they have been out of the country for more than 3 months. It is expected that such patients will obtain medical attention and supplies of any drugs they require in the country they are visiting.
If a patient going abroad for more than 3 months is travelling to a remote area where drugs are likely to be unobtainable, the GP may provide the patient with a private prescription to cover the duration of travel beyond the first 3 months. The full cost of the drugs will be payable by the patient on a private prescription.
Medication Reviews
Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor, or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and you will be contacted either via telephone, text message or letter to make an appointment. Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions. Patients who fail to make appointments will receive three reminders after which your prescription will be limited to a two weekly supply or stopped for safety. We are unable to safely prescribe medications to patients who have not had an annual review.
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).
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.