Ordering repeat prescriptions

 
 
Please note that we require three full working days for prescription requests to be actioned by a doctor or the practice pharmacist. To submit a repeat prescription request, click here.
 

Nominating a pharmacy

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, all patients are required to set up a ‘nominated pharmacy’. This allows your doctor to use the electronic prescription system (EPS) to send your prescription to the pharmacy of your choice.

You can no longer collect paper prescriptions from the practice – instead, visit your nominated pharmacy (or dispensing appliance contractor) to pick up your medicines or medical appliances.

This system makes prescribing faster, avoids unnecessary footfall through the practice and and frees up your doctor to treat patients who are unwell.

Ordering your prescription:

Repeat dispensing

Patients who are stable on a regular medication can have their repeat prescriptions ‘pre-approved’ for up to one year, meaning they no longer need to request regular repeats. Instead, their pharmacist can dispense up to three months supply of medication at a time for up to one year, before a GP needs to re-approve the prescription.

Feel free to discuss ‘repeat dispensing’ with your GP or the practice pharmacist.

You can order your repeat prescription in different ways:

Via Patient Online

All patients are encouraged to use Patient Access to order repeat prescriptions.

This method enables you to keep track of the prescription requests online or using a free mobile app, and informs you when your prescription is ready to be collected.

Via our online form

You can submit a prescription request online using our online form. You can also use the form to ask our practice pharmacist a question about your medications to your prescription.

We do not accept prescription request sent directly to the practice email account.

Via your Pharmacy

Many pharmacies now offer a service to order and collect prescriptions on behalf of patients.

If you would like to arrange for a pharmacy to manage the ordering of your requests please speak to the pharmacy of your choice. They will set this up for you.

We do not accept prescription requests in person or by telephone

We can only accepting requests over the phone for housebound patients or those unable to use the internet.

Changing your nominated pharmacy

If you want to change your nomination, you can do so by calling reception or simply ask your new pharmacy to arrange the switch.

If your medication has been issued to a pharmacy that is unable to fulfill it (for example because a medication is out of stock), you can ask the pharmacist to reprint a barcoded paper prescription and ‘return your prescription to the spine’. This means that you can use the printed barcode in any pharmacy.

Prescriptions Charges & 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.

Find out more about the prescription prepayment certificate.

If you need to access the services below then medicines are free:

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

NHS Charges

From 1 April 2020, the charges are:

  • Prescription (per item): £9.15
  • 3-month PPC: £29.10 – this saves money if you need 4 or more items in three months.
  • 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00 – this saves money if 13 or more items are needed in 12 months.

PPCs are available by 10 monthly direct debit instalment payment’s. the prescription prepayment certificates allows anyone to obtain all the prescriptions they need for £2 per week.

Find out more about the prescription prepayment certificate.

If you need to access the services below then medicines are free:

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

Click here and read the Prescribing Policy

If you plan to travel abroad for anything other than a brief holiday, please read our leaflet prescribing for patients travelling abroad.

Help us prescribe safely and efficiently

In general we prescribe a maximum of three months supply of medication on a single prescription (6 months for oral contraception). Some medications, particularly strong pain killers, addictive medications and medication prescribed for mental health problems are issued using weekly or monthly repeat prescriptions.

Many medications need to be monitored (by blood tests or clinical assessment) and part of the process of generating repeat prescriptions is ensuring that these requirements are being met and that medication is only re-issued when it is safe to do so.

You can help us by:

  • Only requesting what you need via your pharmacist or online via patient access.
  • Ordering medication in time, and not waiting until you are about to run out.
  • Responding promptly to requests for checks and blood tests which may accompany your repeat prescription.
  • Ensuring that if medication is ordered by someone else on your behalf (e.g. a relative or a pharmacist) that you double check that only items you need are being requested.
  • Only requesting medication that you are currently being prescribed on regular repeat prescriptions.
  • Understanding that even if you have been on the same medication for a very long time, we might occasionally want to review your prescription and make changes if these are appropriate. Questioning your need for regular medication is an important part of our role as safe prescribers.

The safe processing of repeat prescriptions for our 16000+ patients is an enormous task which occupies a large amount of administrative and clinical time. We try really hard to get it right but are aware that in spite of this there are times when we might fall short of the mark.

If something goes wrong – please explain it to us and we will do our best to put the matter right. Please don’t shout at our receptionists!