The best way to order your prescription is online using Patient Access or the NHS App. See the link below for instructions about registering for the NHS App which you can do without having to come into the surgery.
NHS App
Owned and run by the NHS, the NHS App is a simple and secure way to access a range of NHS services on your smartphone or tablet — including prescriptions and appointments. You can also access your NHS account using the NHS website.
How to register for the NHS App
The NHS App can help you order medication and book appointments online. It is simple to use once set up. If you already use Patient Access you do not require the NHS App as well. If you want to use online services for the first time, the benefit of the NHS App is that you can provide your ID online and do not need to come into the surgery during this difficult time with some many concerns about COVID-19.
If you would like to sign up for the NHS App please follow the instructions below.
- Download the app by going to the app store or Google play
- If you don’t already have an NHS login you will need to set one up
- Enter email address
- Create password
- You will receive an email with a link to confirm your email address
- You will need to enter your mobile number and will receive a 6 digit code to enter
- You will need to provide photo ID by choosing to take a picture of your driving license or passport and follow the instructions on screen
- You will need to record a short video as per the instructions on screen
- Finally enter full name, date of birth and postcode.
You will then be advised to wait for verification to be complete.
As an alternative, you can drop your repeat prescription request into one of the post boxes located outside of all of our buildings, or order via the Patient Access app.
Please only order on your normal cycle and do not attempt to ‘stock up’. This will help us ensure that everyone gets what they need, when they need it. At present, due to extremely high demand, please allow 7 working days before trying to come and collect your prescription. In most instances, you will receive a text to tell you when your repeat prescription is ready to collect.
It is easier and quicker to manage request repeat prescriptions via our online service. Simply log in and select an option.
Please allow two full working days for prescriptions to be processed and remember to take weekends and bank holidays into account.
Your Repeat Medication
If you need regular medication and your doctor does not need to see you every time, you will be issued with ‘repeat prescription’. When you collect a prescription you will see that it is perforated down the centre. The left-hand side is the actual prescription.The right-hand side (re-order slip) shows a list of medicines that you can request without booking an appointment to see a doctor. Please tear off this section (and keep it) before handing the prescription to our dispensary or the chemist for dispensing.
Repeated last minute medication requests
Unfortunately a small minority of patients are repeatedly running out (or just about to run out) of their medication. ‘Urgent’ requests of this nature cause a great deal of disruption to the smooth running of the practice. Please be aware that such requests will be questioned very carefully by the reception staff and may well be refused by the GP. A record is kept of such requests, and may well be refused by the GP.
Help with your Prescription
If you forget to request a Repeat Prescription
If you forget to obtain a prescription for repeat medication and thus run out of important medicines, you may be able to get help from your Pharmacy. Under the Urgent Provision of Repeat Medication Service, Pharmacists may be able to supply you with a further cycle of a previously repeated medicine, without having to get a prescription from your GP.
If you have run out of important medication, telephone your usual Pharmacy to check that they offer this service; if they don’t, they may either direct you to another Pharmacy who does provide it, or ask you to phone 111 where you can request details of a local Pharmacy that provides the service.
You must then take with you to the relevant Pharmacy, proof of both your identification and of your medication (for example, your repeat prescription list or the empty box which should have your details printed on it). Please note that controlled drugs and antibiotics are not provided through this service, you will need to ring 111 for these.
If you receive stoma products from your Pharmacy or other supplier and/or receive items such as continence products, please ensure you have sufficient supplies as you may encounter difficulties in obtaining these over Bank Holidays, or when the Surgery is closed.
Help with NHS Costs
If you need help with NHS costs or need to find out if you can get free prescriptions please click the button below for further information.
How to order your medication
By post
You can post your prescription slip or written request to us at the Practice. You must include a stamped addressed envelope for return by post if you will not be able to pick up your prescription from the Surgery (please allow extra time for any possible delays with the postal service).
In person
You can order in person by returning the right-hand half of a previous prescription for the required medications, or by submitting a handwritten request. You can then drop your repeat prescription request into one of the post boxes located outside of all of our buildings.
Online
You can order your repeat medication online via Patient Access or the NHS App. You can use the links at the top of this page to login or to register if you do not yet have an account. Either option will allow you to place your repeat medication orders online.
Telephone
We do not accept requests for repeat prescriptions by telephone. This prevents dangerous errors being made and leaves the telephone lines free for urgent matters.
Additional information
Proxy Access
A system called ‘Proxy Access’ is now available to allow you to have online access to book telephone appointments or order repeat medication for your children and others you may be caring for. We hope that this will help make life easier and prevent unnecessary trips to the surgery. Please visit our Proxy Access page and complete the relevant form.
Hospital and Community Requests
When you are discharged from Hospital you should normally receive seven days supply of medication.
On receipt of your discharge medication, which will be issued to you by the Hospital, please contact the Surgery to provide us with this information before your supply of medication has run out.
Hospital requests for change of medication will be checked by a prescribing clinician first, and if necessary a prescribing clinician will provide you with a prescription on request.
Medicines requested by Hospital Specialists
Specialists will often suggest particular medication at a hospital appointment and ask us to prescribe for you. To ensure your safety we do need to receive written information from the specialist before prescribing. Sometimes a medicine is suggested that is not in our local formulary. There is nearly always a close alternative, and specialists are told that we sometimes make suitable substitutions when you are referred. We will always let you know if this is the case.
Medication reviews
The Doctors at the Practice regularly review the medication you are taking. This may involve changes to your tablets. Please be reassured that this will not affect your treatment. We may sometimes call you in for a medication review and this may involve blood tests. It is very important that you attend these appointments, as it keeps you safe whilst taking medication.
Non-repeat items (acute requests)
Non-repeat prescriptions, known as ‘acute’ prescriptions are medicines that have been issued by the Doctor but not added to your repeat prescription records. This is normally a new medication issued for a trial period or a medication that we expect you to take for only a short period. If such a medication is to be continued for a longer period, you may require a review visit with your Doctor prior to the medication being added onto your repeat prescription records.
Some medications are recorded as acute as they require to be closely monitored by the Doctor. Examples include many anti-depressants, drugs of potential abuse or where the prescribing is subject to legal or clinical restrictions or special criteria. If this is the case with your medicine, you may not always be issued with a repeat prescription until you have consulted with your Doctor again.
Over the Counter Medicines
A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
When on holiday or living temporary outside the Practice area
If you are staying outside the practice area for holidays, work etc., we are unable to send prescriptions by post/email/fax. You should register with a practice as a temporary resident and request the medication. The Practice will contact us to confirm what medication you are currently being prescribed. Alternatively, if you are registered for online services, you can choose to nominate a different pharmacy from which to collect your medication but you will need to remember to change this back again when you return from your trip.
Your Home Medicine Cupboard
It is well worth keeping a small stock of useful medicines at home in your (locked) first aid cupboard. For instance, pain killers (analgesics) such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen or aspirin (children under 16 and people with asthma should not take aspirin), or Ibuprofen syrups for children, mild laxatives, anti-diarrhoeal medicines, indigestion remedy (for example, antacids), travel sickness tablets, and sunscreen – SPF15 or higher sunburn treatment (for example, calamine). For more detail see NHS UK Medicine Chest.