Prescriptions

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Ordering Repeat Prescriptions

Repeat prescriptions are medications which appear on your prescription slip which the doctor would like you to continue on a regular basis. Your list can also be found on your online account.

How to Request a Repeat Prescription

Collecting your Prescription

All prescriptions will be sent to your nominated pharmacy.
If you have a nominated pharmacy but would prefer to take your token to another chemist, just ask the clinician or prescribing clerk before they issue the prescription and they can arrange a printed token to give to you or for you to collect.

For some/few medications, the prescription must be printed off and taken to the pharmacy in person. You will always be notified if this is the case for your prescription.

• NHS prescription charges – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Save money with a prescription prepayment certificate (PPC) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Find a pharmacy – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Local Pharmacies

Questions about your Prescription

If you have questions about your medication, your local pharmacists can answer your questions on prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

You can also contact us at the surgery in one way.

• Phone our pharmacist after 10am on 01502 517346

Medication Reviews

If you have a repeat prescription, we will ask you to come in at least once a year for a review. Please make sure you book a routine appointment when we ask you to come in for your review.

You can do this in two ways. 

• Phone us Monday to Friday, from 10am to 6.30pm.
• Visit the surgery and speak with a receptionist, Monday to Friday from 10am.

Electronic Prescription Service

From Tuesday 31st March, almost all prescriptions will be sent electronically from the surgery.

Even if you don’t have a preferred or “nominated” pharmacy where your prescriptions go to electronically, instead of receiving a green prescription slip which must be signed by a prescriber, usually a GP, the prescriber will send this electronically to the Spine and you will receive a printed “token” from the surgery to take with you to the pharmacy of your choice. The pharmacist will use the barcode on your token to ‘call down’ the electronic prescription from the Spine to enable them to dispense your medication.

Prescription Charges

Find out more about prescription charges on nhs.uk.

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.

View the cost of prescriptions on the NHS website.

You can also find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions.

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About Pharmacists

Pharmacists are experts in medicines who can help you with minor health concerns.

As qualified healthcare professionals, they can offer clinical advice and over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor illnesses, such as coughs, colds, sore throats, tummy trouble and aches and pains.

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.

Disposing of Old Medicines

If your medicine is out of date, unwanted, or some of it is left over after you have stopped taking it, do not put it in your household bin or flush it down the toilet. Instead, take it to your pharmacy to be disposed of safely.

Over-the-counter medicines

Did you know that your local NHS spends £15m a year on prescribing medicines that are available to buy at the pharmacy?

Following national guidance from NHS England, our GPs are asked not to prescribe these medicines (there are some exceptions, see the below link), including for conditions such as coughs, colds, headaches, mouth ulcers, travel sickness and mild toothache.

Your GP will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy at your local pharmacy.