Repeat Prescriptions

Please allow 24 hours between requesting and collecting your prescription, excluding weekends or bank holidays when we require 48 hours

Prescriptions requested before 12pm will be available after 2pm on the next working day.

Prescription Requests

You can request repeat medications in the following ways:

Written Requests

Please try to use the slip attached to your prescription when ordering a repeat prescription.  Otherwise, please make your request in writing as clearly as possible with all of the medication information. This request can be handed in to reception or posted to us.

Online Requests

You can request your repeat prescription using the online facilities. Ask at reception for further details.

Electronic Prescribing

We have just introduced a new system whereby your GP will send your prescription electronically to your local pharmacy (or pharmacy of your choice) to be dispensed. For more information see www.hscic.gov.uk/epspatients

Please note, to ensure accuracy and prevent mistakes occurring, we do not accept telephone requests.

Some local pharmacies will organise repeat prescriptions for you, and some will deliver your medication to you. If you would be interested in this, please discuss it further with your pharmacist.

Prescription Collection

Your prescription can be:

1. Collected from reception by yourself, family or friends or by your local pharmacy.
2. Sent to you in the post, please ensure you include a SAE.
3. Sent to the pharmacy electronically

Medication Reviews

Patients on repeat medication will be asked to see a doctor or practice nurse at least once a year to review these regular medications and notification should appear on your repeat slip.

Please ensure that you book an appropriate appointment to avoid unnecessary delays to further prescriptions.

ELECTRONIC REPEAT DISPENSING (eRD)

If you or someone you care for uses the same medicines regularly, you may be able to benefit from using the NHS Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD) service.  This means you won’t have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP practice every time you need more medicine.

Step 1

Talk to your GP or the person who prescribes your medicines and ask them if you can use Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD). Your prescriber will usually be your doctor or nurse practitioner.  If your prescriber thinks that you could use eRD for your regular medicines, they will ask you for permission to share information about your treatment with your pharmacist. This will help your pharmacist to give your prescriber feedback about your treatment and provide you with useful advice. Your GP or prescriber will then authorise a number of eRD prescriptions.  This will be based on your circumstances and clinical need. These eRD prescriptions will then be supplied by your pharmacy at regular intervals.

Step 2

Collect your first eRD prescription from your pharmacy.

Step 3

Next time you need more medicines, go back to your pharmacy. Before dispensing the next issue of your prescription, your pharmacy will ask you the following questions:

Have you seen any health professionals (GP, nurse or hospital doctor), since your last repeat prescription was supplied?

Have you recently started taking any new medicines – either on prescription or that you have bought over the counter?

Have you been having any problems with your medication or experiencing any side effects?

If you don’t need all of the medicines on your prescription, let the pharmacy staff know, so that they only supply the medicines you need. This will help to reduce waste and save the NHS money.

Step 4

When your pharmacy supplies your prescription, they will advise you to contact your GP practice to arrange for your medication to be reviewed and if it is clinically appropriate to issue another eRD prescription. Your doctor or nurse practitioner may want you to make an appointment to see them, or they may need you to have some blood tests or a blood pressure check before they will authorise more eRD prescriptions

Prescriptions Charges and Exemptions

Extensive exemption and remission arrangements protect those likely to have difficulty in paying charges (NHS prescription and dental charges, optical and hospital travel costs).

The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.

NHS charges

These charges apply in England only. In Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales prescriptions are free of charge.

• Prescription (per item): £9.00
• 12-month prepayment certificate (PPC): £104.00
• 3-month PPC: £29.10

If you will have to pay for four or more prescription items in three months, or more than 15 items in 12 months, you may find it cheaper to buy a PPC.

• Telephone advice and order line 0845 850 0030
• General Public - Buy or Renew a PPC On-line

There is further information about prescription exemptions and fees on the NHS website