Prescriptions

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:

• fill out a repeat prescriptions request form
• prescriptions requests can be dropped off at any time into the black letter box outside of the front door on the right-hand side next to the news board, Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6.30pm
• Email prescription requests to rosemary.prescription@dorsetgp.nhs.uk

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.

Patients on regular medication do not always need to see or speak to a doctor for a repeat of their medicines. You will be issued with a computer slip attached to your prescription showing your repeat medication. This slip should be kept in a safe place and returned to the surgery when you need further medication.

Please allow at least THREE working days before collecting your repeat medication. If there is no query with your prescription, it will be ready for collection from the Surgery on the 3rd working day after it has been received in the practice. 

If collecting your prescription via your chosen pharmacy, allow at least 5 working days between ordering and collecting your medication.

Requests are not accepted over the telephone to avoid errors and avoid pressure on telephone lines. The easiest way to re-order your medication is via the online system, ‘SystmOnline’.

Tick clearly items required in the box.

Cross out medication no longer taken so that it can be deleted, e.g. if stopped at a hospital appointment.

If your medication is changed at a hospital check up, please write this on your request slip. We do receive notification from the hospital about changes, however you may need the altered medication before this information arrives at the surgery.

 
The Clinical Commissioning Group (and indeed the national advisory committees) have determined that we are only able to provide two months supply of medication in most instances (apart from the Pill and HRT). This is to prevent wastage in the NHS.

From time to time it may be necessary to change your regular medication to a chemically matching and equally effective drug but one that is more cost effective. We are obliged to use tax-payers money as effectively as possible to avoid overspend on limited drug budgets.

Alignment Slips – if individual items on your supply of medication run out at different times please use an alignment slip as a “one-off” measure to ensure that you can get all your regular medication at the same time. This saves both your and our time.

We also offer a repeat dispensing service which means that you can attend the chemist only to collect certain types of medication – please speak to your reception team if you would like further information on this.

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.

• Go to Medicines A to Z (nhs.uk)

If you would like to speak to someone at the GP surgery about your prescription:

• We have a clinical pharmacist available for appointment bookings or messages can be left for the prescriptions team to call you back
• phone our pharmacist after 10am on 01202 723372
• fill in our medication query form.
• email in to rosemary.prescriptions@dorsetgp.nhs.uk with admin queries

Medication reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we may ask you to come in for a regular review. We will be in touch when you need to come in for a review.

Prescription charges

Find out more about prescription charges (nhs.uk).

What to do with old medicines

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.

• Find a pharmacy (nhs.uk)

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.