Repeat Prescriptions

Please Note: It is practice policy that we can not prescribe any medication to postpone menstrual cycles.

All prescription requests must be in writing, we do not take requests over the phone or verbally at the desk, this is to avoid mistakes. You can also request your repeat medication by registering for our online services or via local pharmacies.

Please allow 3 working days when requesting your prescriptions and pick up your prescription after 5.30pm. If you are asking for an item that is not on your repeat prescription please allow an extra 24 hours. 

Prescription requests made on:

Monday	will be ready Thursday after 5.30pm
Tuesday	will be ready Friday after 5.30pm
Wednesday	will be ready Monday after 5.30pm
Thursday	will be ready Tuesday after 5.30pm
Friday	will be ready Wednesday after 5.30pm

Please do not order too early. A week before is sufficient. Prescriptions received too early cannot be issued.

For more information please have a look at our patient prescription leaflet: Patient Prescription Leaflet (PDF, 301KB)

‘Prescription Team’ – now available within our telephone options

We have now introduced a prescription line which is answered by our dedicated team of prescription clerks.  This is for prescription queries only. Please note we are unable to take prescription requests over the phone.  To access this line please call 01634 843 351 and select option 4 to speak directly to our prescription team.  The line is manned between the hours of 8.00am to 3.00pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).  Please note, after 3pm Monday to Friday you will be redirected back to the Reception Team. If the prescription team are on another call please leave a message on the voicemail/answerphone available and a member of the team will get back to you as quickly as possible to deal with your prescription query. 

Online Prescription Requests

You can book appointments and order repeat prescriptions online using the NHS app

If you are having problems logging into your online services or are having problems with the settings you can find their online support from here: NHS App help and support.

Electronic Prescription Service

Electronic Prescription Service Information Sheet (PDF, 54KB)

This service enables your prescription to be sent electronically to any participating pharmacy of your choice. This saves you a trip to the surgery.

Please inform either your nominated pharmacy or reception at the surgery.

---

Hospital Prescriptions

In order to maintain safe prescribing systems for all of our patients, this practice is unable to issue a prescription for any new medication until we receive hospital discharge or outpatient letter directly from the Clinician or department initiating the medication following your appointment.

Please note that any hospital outpatient prescriptions (white) must be taken to the hospital pharmacy within the hospital. The CCG policy does not allow this surgery to issue a replacement (green) prescription against a hospital outpatient prescription.

If patients take these forms to Community Pharmacies the request will be treated as a Private Prescription and the patient will have to pay for the treatment.

---

Private Prescriptions

Private referral and private prescriptions

• The responsibility for prescribing rests with the doctor who has clinical responsibility for a particular aspect of the patient’s care.
• Where an NHS GP refers a patient (privately or otherwise) to a Consultant for advice but retains clinical responsibility for the patient, then the GP should issue the necessary prescriptions at NHS expense.
• In the situation where the Consultant retains clinical responsibility, for example, where he/she continues to administer any treatment or the treatment is recognised to be specialist in nature, then it is the Consultant who should issue the prescriptions.
• Where patients opt to be referred privately, then they would be expected to pay the full cost of any treatment they receive in relation to the referral, including that of any drugs and appliances. Refer here for patients who wish to pay for additional private care” for further information. www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-patients-who-wish-to-pay-for-additional-private-care
• Following a private consultation, there is no obligation for the GP to prescribe the recommended treatment if the GP does not feel clinically competent to do this and it is contrary to his/her normal clinical practice.

Private prescriptions for NHS patients

A private prescription may be issued under a number of circumstances, for example:

• where an item is not available on the NHS (drugs and preparations listed in Part XVIIIA of the Drug Tariff)
• for drugs to treat indications not covered by the ‘SLS’ conditions
• vaccinations / antimalarial for travellers

Under these circumstances, a charge could be levied for the issue of a private prescription.

Malaria Prophylaxis: Anti-malarial drugs for the prophylaxis of malaria, may not be prescribed on the NHS. The Department of Health issued guidance in 115 (FHSL(95)7) suggesting that medication for malaria prophylaxis should be provided on a private prescription.

---

NHS Patients travelling abroad

NHS Patients travelling for three months or less:

Pre-existing condition:

Provide sufficient medication to cover the journey and to allow the patient to obtain medical attention abroad.

• A 28 day prescription is sufficient. If additional medication is required, advise the patient to register with a local doctor once abroad. A prescription should not be issued for patients who are already abroad.
• In exceptional cases e.g. where the patient is constantly travelling and will be unable to register with a local doctor, issue up to a maximum of 3 months’ supply.
• Please note that where medication requires frequent monitoring for example warfarin, it may not be appropriate to prescribe for such an extended period

Just-in–case Treatments

• GPs should not prescribe on the NHS any medication which is requested solely in anticipation of the onset of an ailment whilst outside the UK, but for which treatment is not required at the time of prescribing (e.g. travel sickness, altitude sickness, antibiotics or rehydration sachets for diarrhoea).
• Patients should be advised to purchase these items where possible.
• A private prescription may be provided for any prescription-only medicines (a charge may be levied for writing a private prescription for such pre-emptive medication).
• For conditions unresponsive to self medication, the patient should normally seek medical attention abroad. Nb. Many UK prescription only medicines are available to purchase without a prescription abroad.

NHS patients living or travelling abroad for more than three months of the year

Provide sufficient medication to cover the journey and to allow the patient to obtain medical attention abroad.

• A 28 day prescription is sufficient.
• The patient should be advised to register with a local doctor for continuing medication; this may need to be paid for by the patient.
• The patient should check with the manufacturer that the medicines required are available in the country being visited.
• GMS regulations state that patients should be removed from the GP practice list by the NHS England Area Team where notification has been received from the patient that they intend to be away from the UK for a period of at least 3 months.
• Patients carrying prescribed controlled drugs abroad for their own personal use may require a personal license

Malaria prophylaxis

• GPs must NOT prescribe medicines to prevent malaria on the NHS.
• Patients should be advised to purchase prophylaxis over the counter where possible. Prescription only medicines should be prescribed on a private prescription (the practice is able to charge for the provision of a private prescription)

---

Prescribing of medicines to treat minor illnesses is changing

How is it changing?

Medicines which are available to buy will no longer be routinely prescribed for the following conditions:

Why is it changing?

These common conditions can be treated at home with items that can be bought from pharmacies, supermarkets and other stores.

As you will not need an appointment at your GP surgery to obtain a prescription this will save you time. It will also free up appointments for patients with more serious conditions.

If your condition needs further attention your pharmacist will recognise this and recommend you make an appointment.

Be self-care aware