Ordering repeat prescriptions
The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:
- using your NHS account (through the NHS website or in the NHS App)
- using the GP online system: SystmOnline
These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.
You can also bring (or post) the paper form to the surgery, Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6pm
We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone or email.
Run out or just about to run out of medication?
‘Urgent’ requests of this nature cause a great deal of disruption to the smooth running of the practice.
Please be aware that such requests will be questioned very carefully by the reception staff and may well be refused by the GP. A record is kept of such requests, and may well be refused by the GP.
If you forget to request a Repeat Prescription:
If you have run out of important medication, telephone your usual Pharmacy to check that they offer this service; if they don’t, they may either direct you to another Pharmacy who does provide it, or ask you to phone 111 where you can request details of a local Pharmacy that provides the service.
You must then take with you to the relevant Pharmacy, proof of both your identification and of your medication (for example, your repeat prescription list or the empty box which should have your details printed on it). Please note that controlled drugs and antibiotics are not provided through this service, you will need to ring 111 for these.
If you receive stoma products from your Pharmacy or other supplier and/or receive items such as continence products, please ensure you have sufficient supplies as you may encounter difficulties in obtaining these over Bank Holidays, or when the Surgery is closed.
Further information about Out-of-hours medicines
Collecting your prescription
You can usually collect your prescription from the pharmacy 3 to 5 working days after you have ordered it.
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:
- on the app or website where you order repeat prescriptions
- at your GP practice
- at any pharmacy that accepts repeat prescriptions
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.
Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)
eRD allows your GP to send a series of repeat prescriptions to your pharmacy in one go, so there’s no need for you to order them each time. It’s reliable, secure and confidential. Your regular prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS database, so they’ll be ready at the pharmacy each time you need them.
You can then collect your medication from your pharmacy, or ask them to deliver it to your home.
It’s really easy to sign up for eRD – just ask your GP or pharmacist to set it up for you.
How eRD can benefit you:
Using eRD, you can:
– save time by avoiding unnecessary trips or calls to your GP every time you need to order a repeat prescription
– order or cancel your repeat prescriptions online (if your GP practice offers this service)
– pick up your repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacy without having to visit your GP
– spend less time waiting for your prescription in the pharmacy or GP practice, which means you can stay at home and avoid face-to-face contact when you need your repeat prescription during the coronavirus pandemic
– save paper – you won’t need a paper prescription to collect your medicine from the pharmacy
Medication reviews
The Doctors and Pharmacist at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets and is in accordance with current Health Authority policies. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment.
We may sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Prescription charges
Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).
What to do with old medicines
If there are any medications you no longer use, please advise the receptionist who will arrange to have them removed from your repeat medications.
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.
Many pharmacies are open until late and at weekends. You do not need an appointment.
Most pharmacies have a private consultation room where you can discuss issues with pharmacy staff without being overheard.
Additional information
Hospital and Community Requests
When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.
On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide them with this information before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request.
Non-repeat items (acute requests)
Non-repeat prescriptions, known as ‘acute’ prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a trial period, and may require a review visit with your Doctor prior to the medication being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with your Doctor again.
Over the Counter Medicines
A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
Further information about over the counter medicines from NHS UK.
When on holiday or living temporary outside the Practice area
If you are staying outside the practice area for holidays, work etc. we are unable to send prescriptions by post/email/fax.
You should register with a practice as a temporary resident and request the medication. The Practice will contact us to confirm what medication you are currently being prescribed.
Alternatively depending on your location some pharmacies may be able to provide the medication for you.
Stopping over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both (STOMP)
STOMP stands for stopping over medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropic medicines. It is a national project involving many different organisations which are helping to stop the over use of these medicines.
STOMP is about helping people to stay well and have a good quality of life.
Your Home Medicine Cupboard
It is well worth keeping a small stock of useful medicines at home in your (locked) first aid cupboard.
For instance, pain killers (analgesics) such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin), or Ibuprofen syrups for children, Mild laxatives, Anti-diarrhoeal medicines, Indigestion remedy (for example, antacids) Travel sickness tablets, and Sunscreen – SPF15 or higher Sunburn treatment (for example, calamine).