To ensure we deal with your prescription requests more efficiently we have made some changes to the Prescription request process.

The safest and easiest way to request repeat prescriptions is by using the online service via SystmOnline.

You can also request your prescriptions via the Prescriptions and Medicines Centre on our website.

You can obtain a repeat prescription by the following:

• By ticking the medication(s) you require on the “tear off slip” and handing it in at reception
• By post
• By asking at the front desk using our “prescription request” form
• Through the Prescriptions and Medicines Centre
• Via SystemOnline

We do not take repeat prescription requests over the telephone.

Please ensure that the items you require are requested clearly by ticking the appropriate box on the repeat request form, or if you do not have a repeat request form, please ensure that your name, address and the items you require are clearly indicated on our request form.

In order to process the large number of requests each day please note that 3 working days is required for repeat prescription requests. The schedule for ordering and collection is:

• Order on Monday, collect on Thursday after 15:00
• Order on Tuesday, collect on Friday after 15:00
• Order on Wednesday, collect on Monday after 15:00
• Order on Thursday, collect on Tuesday after 15:00
• Order on Friday, collect on Wednesday after 15:00

In the event of a Bank Holiday this will take longer.

If you request your prescription more than 7 days before the due date it will be rejected

Patients should be aware that most pharmacies can now arrange for patients’ prescriptions to be collected from the practice on their behalf. To arrange this, please contact your own pharmacist directly. Prescription charges and exemptions.

Emergency prescription requests

Emergency prescription request are request for medication which you need within 24 hours to prevent you becoming severely unwell. Emergency medications include:

• Epileptic medications
• Insulin
• Inhalers for lung conditions
• Emergency contraception
• EpiPen for anaphylaxis.

Emergency prescription requests are not requests for medication which have been ordered late. You should allow 72 working hours for routine repeat prescription requests.

Please respect our staff, as it is your responsibility to ensure that your repeat prescription request is ordered in plenty of time.

How to order a non-repeat prescription

If you have an ongoing problem and would like another prescription of a medication previously prescribed to you by the doctor you may request another script. Please let us know the reason for your request and a contact number, in order for the doctor to review your request. Non-repeat medication request will take over 72 working hours to process and the doctor may wish to speak with you.

Private prescriptions

Private prescriptions are medication which your private Doctor has recommended for you on a private prescription. A private prescription is not written on an official NHS prescription and so is not paid for by the NHS. The cost of a private prescription is met wholly by the patient and is dictated by the cost of the medicine plus the pharmacists charge for supplying it. A prescription is a legal document for which the doctor, who has issued and signed it, is responsible for. Therefore, our GPS cannot convert a private prescription to an NHS prescription.

Our Clinicians can only provide a private prescription if the drug is not available on the NHS.

New patient prescriptions

Welcome to The Surgery, if you normally take regular repeat medication please let us know by:

• Giving us a copy of your repeat prescription slip
• Enter your regular prescription in your registration form and request it through the surgery dashboard
• Give us a copy of your medication label on your medication box or bottle which has your name, medication dosage and date

We will automatically put this on your repeat prescription here at The Surgery.

Please allow 72 hours for a prescription request.

We may require further information before prescribing drugs likely to abuse and or controlled drugs.

Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)

What is Electronic Repeat Dispensing (eRD)?

If you or someone you care for, use the same medicine regularly, you may be able to benefit from electronic repeat dispensing of your repeat prescriptions. This means you won’t have to re-order or collect your repeat prescriptions from your GP practice every time you need more medicine.

How does eRD work?

Your GP sends a series of repeat prescriptions to your pharmacy in one go, so there’s no need for you to order them each time. It’s reliable, secure, and confidential. Your regular prescriptions are stored securely on the NHS database, so they’ll be ready at the pharmacy each time you need them.

Benefits of eRD:

• save time by avoiding unnecessary trips or calls to your GP every time you need to order a repeat prescription.
• order or cancel your repeat prescriptions online.
• pick up your repeat prescriptions directly from your pharmacy without having to visit your GP.
• spend less time waiting for your prescription in the pharmacy or GP practice.
• You won’t need a paper prescription to collect your medicine from the pharmacy.

Is eRD suitable for me?

Any patient with a repeat prescription could be suitable for electronic repeat dispensing, especially if you have/are:

• on stable therapy
• with long-term conditions
• on multiple therapies, e.g. for hypertension, diabetes, asthma etc.
• self-managed seasonal conditions.

eRD is unsuitable in the following situations:

• Complex medication regimes
• Medicines requiring frequent changes to drug therapy.
• Unstable medical condition and/or recent history of frequent admissions to hospital.
• Those requiring regular review (3 monthly or more frequent)
• Those requiring terminal/palliative care.
• Those in residential institutions, e.g. care homes.
• Those who decline to consent or nominate a pharmacy.
• People who are drug misusers

eRD is unsuitable for people on the following medications:

• controlled drugs (including temazepam, tramadol, gabapentin and pregabalin).
• Benzodiazepines
• Hypnotics
• drugs which require close and careful monitoring, e.g. methotrexate
• unlicensed medicines

How do I sign up for eRD?

It’s really easy to sign up for eRD – just ask your GP or pharmacist to set it up for you.