Prescriptions

Ordering repeat prescriptions

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the phone.

The easiest ways to order repeat prescriptions are:

These accounts show you all your repeat medicine and dosage and you can choose the ones you need.

To do this for the first time you will need to register for Online Access. Please click the Online Access Registration link below to get started.

Online Access Registration Form

Once you are fully registered for Online Access you will be able to click the link above to order your medication.

Alternatively you can also request your repeat medication by using the following methods:

  • Email: Please email prescriptions.stennack@nhs.net with confirmation of your name, date of birth, home address and the medication you wish to order. 
  • Chemist/Pharmacy: Please liaise with your nominated Chemist/Pharmacy who will be able to order your medication on your behalf, by asking them to ‘manage your repeat prescriptions’.
  • Repeat Prescription Slip: Use the tear-off slip from your last repeat prescription and tick what you need to order, this can then be handed into the prescriptions box in our foyer or posted to us.

Collecting your prescription

Please allow three full working days for the surgery to issue your repeat prescription.

You will need to choose a pharmacy to collect your prescription from. We call this nominating a pharmacy. Once you know which pharmacy/chemist you wish to nominate, please let us know.

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

If you choose to have your repeat prescription sent directly to one of the local pharmacies/chemist you should allow additional time for the pharmacist to prepare your prescription ready for collection – the pharmacy will advise you how long you should allow for this.

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.

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

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. 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.

Blister Packs

Medication compliance aids such as “Blister packs” (also known as “Dossette boxes”) are one of the methods used to help people remember to take their medicines.

Blister packs contain designated sealed compartments, or spaces for medicines to be taken at particular times of the day.

However, there is isn’t much evidence for their effectiveness. Furthermore not all medications are suitable to be dispensed in them due to sensitivity to light and temperature, thereby the Stennack Surgery do not advocate the usage of “Blister packs”, as the first choice intervention for helping people to manage their medicines at home.

There are other ways to support someone using the original packs of medicines such as:

  • Alarms or Phone Apps: Set up an alarm on your watch, phone, or computer. Or, ask a friend or family member to remind you by phone or email to take your medicine. There are also Phone apps, such as myGP which is free to download from the App Store and Google Play. Visit https://www.mygp.com/services/medicines/or the NHS app library for more information.
  • Reminder charts: If you like to use pen and paper to keep track of weather you have taken your medication. Try pairing your medicine with an activity you do regularly or at a certain time to help you remember to take it.
  • Large print labels: Ask your local pharmacist to stick a large print label on your medication box/container.
  • Simplification of medication regimens: Consult with our Clinical Pharmacist about taking medications at the same time or the use of a longer-acting formulation.

We understand that medicine compliance aids might be useful for some people and typically these are organised by the local pharmacy.  Therefore, we suggest speaking to them if you would like to explore this option further.  Please note that the provision of these aids is at the discretion of the pharmacy and Stennack Surgery has no control over whether this service will be offered.  

Alternatively you could purchase your own pillbox. These are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colours. They are inexpensive and easy to find at your local pharmacy or from online retailers. When using a pillbox, always keep the original medicine pack until you have taken the last pill.

And don’t forget to order your repeat prescription with plenty of time!

Prescribing Policy

As a practice we endeavour to prescribe appropriately for you. This means that we try to take into account the evidence that a drug is actually effective for its intended purpose. We are guided in this by a national & local formulary; we are reluctant to prescribe outside these guidelines.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, finance plays an important role; family doctors are obliged to consider the cost of medicines. Our Practice accounts for over 1 million pounds spent on drugs each year and we are under constant pressure to reduce this. For this reason you may on occasions be asked to change your tablets to a more economic version – rest assured this will only be done if we are satisfied that the alternative is equally as effective as your previous prescription.

If you require simple ‘stock for the medicine cupboard’ such as painkillers for occasional use etc. this should be purchased ‘over the counter’ from the pharmacy. Please don’t ask us for this on prescription. A huge amount of money is wasted on unused drugs; please help by only ordering what you need. Unused medication should not be discarded in ordinary waste disposal systems but returned to the pharmacist.

We regularly review our prescribing & like to see all those on regular medication at least once a year (this appointment might be with a member of our Nursing, Pharmacist or GP team depending upon your condition). Some conditions will require more frequent monitoring.

Please notify us of any known or suspected allergies or adverse reactions to medication.