Prescriptions

Repeat Prescribing Policy

The safety and wellbeing of our patients is paramount

Non-urgent advice: Please Note

It takes between 48-72 hours to medication requests

We do not accept repeat requests over the phone. Only written requests are accepted.

We strongly advise patients to order their repeat prescription at least a week before they run out of medicines. Please note repeat medications are not issued on the same day.

Please note this service is only for medications that have been approved to be given to you without seeing the Doctor. All medications require a review at least once a year. You may also be required to have some tests such as blood tests or a blood pressure check prior to issuing your repeat medications.

We recommend and encourage patients to sign up to the Patient Online Access system to order medications or use ‘patchs’ on our website.

We are constantly reviewing your medications in line with current guidance and updates and we may contact you if it is in your best interests to change or adjust your medications.

Some medicines cannot go on “repeat” and must stay as “acute” medicines – these are usually ones that need to be reviewed regularly (eg oral nutritional supplements such as fortisips) or that need special monitoring (eg methotrexate or warfarin).

Please allow at least 3 working days to order your repeat prescription

  • You can order your repeats by filling a form at the reception/by writing to us, through your chemist, using NHS app/ our website or patchs.
  • Repeat prescriptions are issued only for a period of 1 or 2 months. If you are going abroad for a long period of time, we can issue a 3 months prescription as a one-off.

We encourage all our patients to use the Electronic Prescribing Service and Save the Trees! You can have your prescription sent electronically to the Pharmacy of your choice. Sign up at your local pharmacy or in the Practice.

Hospital Prescriptions

Please note prescriptions issued to you by the hospital have to be dispensed from the hospital pharmacy for the first two weeks. We will not process with these at the Practice as you should collect your first set of medications from the hospital.

The hospital will write directly to us to let us know if this should be added to your repeat list after the two weeks.

All medications prescribed outside of the practice will need to be assessed by our Team to ensure it falls within our formulary to prescribe and also that they are happy to reissue the medication.

Private Prescriptions

Private prescriptions are medication which your private Doctor has recommended for you on a private prescription. A private prescription is not written on an official NHS prescription and so is not paid for by the NHS. The cost of a private prescription is met wholly by the patient and is dictated by the cost of the medicine plus the pharmacists charge for supplying it. A doctor you see privately can’t issue an NHS prescription.

Please click this link for further information

Requests to convert Private Prescriptions to FP10s following assessment or treatment in the private healthcare sector

NHS Policy

By law, the NHS ceases to have responsibility for the medical care of patients when they leave the UK. In addition, GPs are not required by their terms of service to provide prescriptions for the treatment of a condition that is not present and may arise while the patient is abroad.

The NHS does accept responsibility for supplying ongoing medication for temporary periods abroad of up to 3 months. However, if a person is going to be abroad for more than 3 months, then they are only entitled (at NHS expense) to a sufficient supply of regular medication in order to get to their destination, where they should the find an alternative supply of that medication.

Patients residing abroad for a period of more than 3 months may be removed from the registered patient list.

How can you help us?

  • By coming in for regular medication reviews when required.
  • By responding to any requests that we put on your script: for example blood tests/ BP measurement etc.
  • By attaching copies of blood tests required before a script can be issued ( for example INR with warfarin). Please ask a member of the reception team if any queries about this.
  • By telling us about changes in medication from other sources, for example consultants. Usually we get correspondence about this but sometimes there can be a delay between your attendance at clinic and us getting information. If you have written confirmation about changes, please do not hesitate to let us know.
  • By telling us when you do not wish to take a medication/ side effects are intolerable. We are happy to discuss this and would like to make decisions about medications jointly with you.
  • Ordering your medication on time. If it is very early (more than 2 weeks before due) or late, we may need to discuss this with you.

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see either a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications.

Please allow two full working days between requesting and collecting your prescription.