Repeat Prescriptions

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Ordering Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on your prescription slip which the doctor would like you to continue on a regular basis. Your list can also be found on your online account. These medication are subject to regular review. Prescription requests can take up to 48 working hours to process after a valid request. This is not always possible if you have an outstanding review or monitoring requirements prior to the medicaiton issue.

*Please do NOT book GP telephone appointments for requesting repeat prescriptions.

How to Request a Repeat Prescription

Repeat prescriptions may be ordered in the following ways:

  • Online
    You can order your repeat prescriptions via Patient Access on a computer, tablet or smartphone. This can also be done via the NHS App on your smartphone or tablet or via our online triage service Accurx
  • In Person
    Tick the boxes on your green repeat medication slip, OR, write a note stating what medications you would like and drop it off or post it to the surgery. Please only order medications that you need.

Collecting your Prescription

All prescriptions will be sent to your nominated pharmacy. If you do not have one nominated, then it will be automatically sent to your nearest chemist.

For some/few medications, the prescription must be printed off and taken to the pharmacy in person. You will always be notified if this is the case for your prescription.

Questions about your Prescription

If you have questions about your medication, your local pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

You can also contact us at the surgery.

Prescriptions issues after private consultation

Medication Reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we will ask you to come in at least once a year for a review or sooner if clinically indicated. Please make sure you book a routine appointment when we ask you to come in for your review. You may have to consult practice for medication review/reconciliation if your medication was commenced out of the practice.

You can do this in following ways. 

  • Phone us Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
  • Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 10am.

Prescription Charges

Find out more about prescription charges on nhs.uk.

About Pharmacists

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.

Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

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.

Disposing of Old Medicines

If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Over-the-counter medicines

Did you know that your local NHS spends £15m a year on prescribing medicines that are available to buy at the pharmacy?

Following national guidance from NHS England, our GPs are asked not to prescribe these medicines, including for conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, mouth ulcers, travel sickness and mild toothache.

Your GP will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy at your local pharmacy.

Repeat Prescriptions Requests

Prescription Timescale
All prescriptions will be issued to your nominated pharmacy within 48 working hours after a valid request.

Prescription Quantities
In most instances prescription repeats will be issued for 28 days. There is evidence this avoids wastage. However the clinician may at his discretion authorise repeats for up to 56 days in certain circumstances.
In the case of contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy, scripts will be issued for 6 months.
Patients 75+ and over will only be given repeat prescriptions in 1 month quantities.

Authorised repeat quantities
Repeat prescriptions will be authorised at the doctor’s discretion for up to twelve months. Our Clinical Pharmacist will complete a medication review when the prescription issue date is due. Depending on the medication some patients may require investigations prior to their review and some may only require a telephone call. Out practice will advise you in advance of this.
It is important that we continue to monitor and carry out medication reviews for our patients safety. We may not be able to continue prescribing if a patients review is not completed.

Dose equivalence
Items should be aligned, where possible, such that they expire on the same date. If quantities require amending to bring them into line, this may be attended to by our Clinical Pharmacist.

Over and under prescribing
Reception staff should indicate (to the clinicians) instances where items are being requested ahead of schedule as this may indicate non-compliance or abuse of medication.
Items that have not been requested should not be removed from the record without reference to a doctor.

Change of medication
Changes in prescription medication are the responsibility of the doctors and authorised  practitioner/prescribers. Amendments are only to be made at the direction of a clinician. Particular attention is to be paid to amendments to medication on hospital discharge, as this is an area where errors can occur.